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The Bluebird Books 


Mary Louise in the Country 



. 1 







MARY LOUISE 
IN THE COUNTRY 

By 

Edith Van Dyne 

Author of 

**AuDt Jane’* N>ec«« Serie»” 



Frontispiece hy 

J, Allen St. John v 

The Reilly & Britton Co. 

Chicago 



Copyright, 1916 
by 

The Eeilly & Brittom C«. 


OCT 19 1916 ■ 

Ma/ry Louise m ike Country 

©CI.A445227- ^ 

V 

♦ l V ’ 

H r* V' ^ 


V 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTEE PAGE 

I The Abbival 7 

II The Kenton Place 19 

in The Folks Across the Eiver .... 27 

IV Getting Acquainted 39 

y Mary Louise Becomes a Peace- 
maker 50 

VI Apternoon Tea 56 

Vn Maby Louise Calls for Help. ... 71 

yin The Red-Headed Girl 83 

IX JosiB Investigates 98 

X Ingua is Confidential 108 

XI The Fate of Ned Joselyn 119 

XII Theories are Dangerous 126 

XIII Bluff and Rebuff 135 

XIV Midnight Vigils 144 

XV Old Swallowtail ’’ 155 

XVI Ingua ^s New Dress 163 

XVII A Clew at Last 169 

XVIII Doubts and Suspicions 181 

XIX Good Money for Bad 192 

XX An Unexpected Appearance 203 


Contents 


CHAPTER PAGE 

XXI A Case op Nerves 216 

XXII Ingua^s Mother 224 

XXIII Peculiar People 234 

XXIV Facing Danger 248 

XXV Father and Daughter 255 

XXVI The Plot 266 

XXVII Nan^s Triumph 272 

XXVIII Planning the Future 280 


Maty Louise in the Country 

CHAPTER I 

THE ARRIVAL 

Is this the station, Grandpa Jim? inquired 
a young girl, as the train began to slow up. 

I think so, Mary Louise,’^ replied the hand- 
some old gentleman addressed. 

It doesn’t look very promising, does it? ” she 
continued, glancing eagerly out of the window. 

The station? No, my dear; but the station 
isn’t Cragg’s Crossing, you know; it is merely 
the nearest railway point to our new home.” 

The conductor opened their drawing-room door. 

The next stop is Chargrove, Colonel,” he 
said. 

‘ ‘ Thank you. ’ ’ 

The porter came for their hand baggage and 
a moment later the long train stopped and the 
vestibule steps were let down. 

If you will refer to the time-table of the 
D. R. & G, Railway you will find that the station 
7 


8 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

of Cbargrove is marked with a character dagger 
(t), meaning that trains stop there only to let 
off passengers or, when properly signaled, to let 
them on. Mary Louise, during the journey, had 
noted this fact with misgivings that were hy no 
means relieved when she stepped from the sump- 
tuous train and found before her merely a shed- 
like structure, open on all sides, that served as 
station-house. 

Colonel Hathaway and his granddaughter stood 
silently upon the platform of this shed, their 
luggage beside them, and watched their trunks 
tumbled out of the baggage car ahead and the 
train start, gather speed, and go rumbling on 
its way. Then the girl looked around her to 
discover that the primitive station was really 
the only barren spot in the landscape. 

For this was no Western prairie country, but 
one of the oldest settled and most prosperous 
sections of a great state that had been one of the 
original thirteen to be represented by a star 
on our national banner. Cbargrove might not 
be much of a railway station, as it was only 
eleven miles from a big city, but the country 
around it was exceedingly beautiful. Great 
oaks and maples stood here and there, some in 


THE ARRIVAL 


9 


groups and some in stately solitude; the land 
was well fenced and carefully cultivated ; roads — 
smooth or rutty — led in every direction; flocks 
and herds were abundant ; half hidden by hills 
or splendid groves peeped the roofs of comfort- 
able farmhouses that evidenced the general pros- 
perity of the community. 

Uncle Bben is late, isn’t he, Gran ’pa Jim? ” 
asked the girl, as her eyes wandered over the 
pretty, peaceful scene. 

Colonel Hathaway consulted his watch. 

Our train was exactly on time,” he remarked, 
which is more than can be said for old Eben. 
But I think, Mary Louise, I now see an automo- 
bile coming along the road. If I am right, we 
have not long to wait.” 

He proved to be right, for presently a small 
touring car came bumping across the tracks 
and halted at the end of the platform on which 
they stood. It was driven by an old colored 
man whose hair was snow white but who sprang 
from his seat with the agility of a boy when 
Mary Louise rushed forward with words of 
greeting. 

My, Uncle Ebe, but it’s good to see you 
again! ” she exclaimed, taking both his dusky 


10 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


hands in her own and shaking them cordially. 
‘‘ How is Aunt Polly, and how is your 
‘ rheumatics ^ f ’’ 

Rheumatics done gone foh good, Ma’y 
Weeze,’^ he said, his round face all smiles. Dis 
shuah am one prosterous country foh health. 
Nobuddy sick but de invahlids, an’ dey jus’ 
’magines dey’s sick, dat’s all.” 

Glad to see you. Uncle,” said the Colonel. 

A little late, eh? — as usual. But perhaps you 
had a tire change.” 

‘‘ No, seh, Kun’l, no tire change. I was jus’ 
tryin’ to hurry ’long dat lazy Joe Brennan, who’s 
done cornin’ foh de trunks. Niggehs is slow, 
Kun’l, dey ain’t no argyment ’bout dat, but 
when a white man’s a reg’leh loaf eh, seh, dey 
ain’ no niggeh kin keep behind him.” 

Joe Brennan is coming, then? ” 

Dat’s right, Kun’l; he’s cornin’. Done start 
befoh daylight, in de lumbeh-wagin. But when I 
done ketch up wi’ dat; Joe — a mile ’n’ a half 
away — he won’t lis’n to no reason. So I dodged 
on ahead to tell you-uns dat Joe’s on de way.” 

How far is it from here to Cragg’s Cross- 
ing, then? ” inquired Mary Louise. 

They call it ten miles,” replied her grand- 


THE ARRIVAL 


11 


father, but I imagine it’s nearer twelve.” 
And this is the nearest railway station? ” 
Yes, the nearest. But usually the Crossing 
folks who own motor cars drive to the city to 
take the trains. We alighted here because in 
our own case it was more convenient and pleasant 
than running into the city and out again, and 
it will save us time.” 

‘‘We be home in half’n hour, mos’ likely,” 
added Uncle Eben, as he placed the suit cases and 
satchels in the car. Colonel Hathaway and Mary 
Louise followed and took their seats. 

“Is it safe to leave our trunks here? ” asked 
the girl. 

“ Undoubtedly,” replied her grandfather. 
“ Joe Brennan will doubtless arrive before long 
and, really, there is no person around to steal 
them.” 

“I’ve an idea I shall like this part of the 
country,” said Mary Louise musingly, as they 
drove away. 

“ I am confident you will, my dear.” 

“ Is Cragg’s Crossing as beautiful as this? ” 

“ I think it more beautiful.” 

“ And how did you happen to find it. Gran ’pa 
Jim? It seems as isolated as can be.” 


12 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


^ ‘ A friend and I were taking a motor trip and 
lost our way. A farmer told us that if we went 
to Cragg’s Crossing we would find a good road 
to our destination. We went there, following the 
man^s directions, and encountered beastly roads 
but found a perfect gem of a tiny, antiquated 
town which seems to have been forgotten or 
overlooked by map-makers, automobile guides and 
tourists. My friend had difficulty in getting me 
away from the town, I was so charmed with it. 
Before I left I had discovered, by dint of patient 
inquiry, a furnished house to let, and you know, 
of course, that I promptly secured the place for 
the summer. Jhat^s the y^hole story, Mary 
Louise.’’ 

It is interesting,” she remarked. ” As a 
result of your famous discovery you sent down 
Uncle Eben and Aunt Polly, with our car and 
a lot of truck you thought we might need, and 
now r— when all is ready — you and I have come 
to take possession.” 

” Rather neatly arranged, I think,” declared 
the Colonel, with satisfaction. 

Bo you know anything about the history of 
the place. Gran ’pa, or of the people who live 
in your tiny, forgotten town? ” 


THE ARRIVAL 


13 


“ Nothing whatever. I imagine there are folks 
at Cragg’s Crossing who have never been a dozen 
miles away from it since they were born. The 
village boasts a ‘ hotel ’ — the funniest little inn 
you can imagine — where we had an excellent 
home-cooked meal; and there is one store and a 
blacksmith ^s shop, one church and one school- 
house. These, with half a dozen ancient and 
curiously assorted residences, constitute the shy 
and retiring town of Gragg’s Crossing. Ah, 
I think we have found Joe Brennan.” 

Uncle Eben drew up beside a rickety wagon 
drawn by two sorry nags who just now were 
engaged in cropping grass from the roadside. 
On the seat half reclined a young man who was 
industriously eating an apple. He wore a blue 
checked shirt open at the throat, overalls, sus- 
penders and a straw hat that had weathered many 
seasons of sunshine and rain. His feet were 
encased in heavy boots and his bronzed face 
betokened an out-of-door life. There are a mil- 
lion countrymen in the United States just like 
Joe Brennan in outward appearance. 

Joe did not stop munching; he merely stared 
as the automobile stopped beside him. 

Say, you Joe! ” shouted Uncle Eben indig- 


14 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

nantly, wha’ foh yo’ done sett^n’ heah? ” 
‘‘ Rest’nV^ said Joe Brennan, taking another 
bite from his apple. 

Ain’t yo’ gwine git dem trunks home 
to-day? ” demanded the old darkey. 

Joe seemed to consider this question carefully 
before he ventured to commit himself. Then 
he looked at Colonel Hathaway and said: 

What I want t’ know, Boss, is whether I’m 
hired by the hour, er by the day? ” 

Didn’t Uncle Eben tell you? ” 

‘‘ Naw, he didn’t. He jes’ said t’ go git the 
trunks an’ he’d gimme a dollar fer the trip.” 

Well, that seems to settle the question, 
doesn’t it? ” 

Not quite, Boss. I be’n thinkin’ it over, on 
the way, an’^ a dollar’s too pesky cheap fer this 
trip. Sometimes I gits twenty-five cents a hour 
fer haulin’ things, an’ this looks to me like a 
day’s work.” 

If you made good time,” said Colonel Hatha- 
way, you might do it easily in four hours.” 
Joe shook his head. 

‘‘Not me, sir,” he replied. “ I hain’t got the 
constitution fer it. An’ them bosses won’t trot 
’less I lick ’em, an’ ef I lick ’em I’m guilty o’ 


THE ARRIVAL 


15 


cruelty ter animals — including myself. No, Boss, 
the job’s too cheap, so I guess I’ll give it up an’ 
go home. ’ ’ 

‘‘But you’re nearly at the station now,” pro- 
tested the Colonel. 

“ I know; but it’s half a mile fu’ther an’ the 
bosses is tired. I guess I’ll go home.” 

“ Oh, Gran ’pa! ” whispered Mary Louise, 
“ it’ll never do to leave our trunks lying there 
by the railroad tracks.” 

The Colonel eyed Joe thoughtfully. 

“ If you were hired by the day,” said he, “I 
suppose you would do a day’s work? ” 

“I’d hev to,” admitted Joe. “ That’s why I 
asked ye how about it. Jes’ now it looks to me 
like I ain’t hired at all. The black man said he’d 
gimme a dollar fer the trunks, that’s aU.” 

“ How much do you charge a day? ” asked 
the Colonel. 

“ Dollar ’n’ a quarter’s my reg’lar price, an’ 
I won’t take no less,” asserted Joe. 

Mary Louise nearly laughed outright, but the 
Colonel frowned and said : 

“ Joe Brennan, you’ve got me at your mercy. 
I’m going to hire you by the day, at a dollar and 
a quarter, and as your time now belongs to me 


16 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


I request you to go at once for those trunks. 
You will find them just beyond the station.^' 

The man^s face brightened. He tossed away 
the core of his apple and jerked the reins to 
make the horses hold up their heads. 

‘‘A bargain's a bargain, Boss/^ he remarked 
cheerfully, so 1^11 git them air trunks to yer 
house if it takes till midnight.'' 

Very good," said the Colonel. Drive on, 
Uncle." 

The old servant started the motor. 

“ Dat's what I calls downright robbery, 
KunT," he exclaimed, highly incensed. Didn't 
I ask de stoahkeepeh what to pay Joe Brennen 
foh bringin' oveh dem trunks, an' didn't he say 
a dolleh is big pay foh such-like a trip? If we's 
gwine live in dis town, where dey don' un 'stand 
city prices an' de high cost o' livin' yit, we gotta 
hoi' 'em down an' keep 'em from spekilatin' with 
us, or else we'll spile 'em fer de time when we's 
gone away." 

‘‘ Very true, Uncle. Has Joe a competitor? " 

Uncle Eben reflected. 

Ef he has, Kun'l, I ain't seen it," he pres- 
ently replied ; ‘ ^ but I guess all he 's got is dat 
lumbeh-wagin. " 


THE ARRIVAL 


17 


Mary Louise had enjoyed the controversy 
immensely and was relieved by the promise of 
the trunks by midnight. For the first time in 
her life the young orphaned girl was to play 
housekeeper for her grandfather and surely 
one of her duties was to see that the baggage 
was safely deposited in their new home. 

This unknown home in an unknown town had 
an intense fascination for her just now. Her 
grandfather had been rather reticent in his 
description of the house he had rented at Gragg’s 
Crossing, merely asserting it was a pretty 
place ” and ought to make them a comfortable 
home for the summer. Nor had the girl ques- 
tioned him very closely, for she loved to ‘‘ dis- 
cover things ” and be surprised — whether 
pleasurably or not did not greatly interfere with 
the thrill. 

The motor took them speedily along a winding 
way to Gragg’s Crossing, a toy town that caused 
Mary Louise to draw a long breath of delight 
at first sight. The crossing of two country 
roads had probably resulted, at some far-back 
period, in farmers^ building their residences on 
the four comers, so as to be neighborly. Farm 
hands or others built little dwellings adjoining — 


18 MART LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


not many of them, though — and some unam- 
bitious or misdirected merchant erected a big 
frame store and sold groceries, dry goods and 
other necessities of life not only to the community 
at the Crossing but to neighboring farmers. 
Then someone started the little hotel,’’ mainly 
to feed the farmers who came to the store to 
trade or the drummers ” who visited it to sell 
goods. A church and a schoolhouse naturally 
followed, in course of time, and then, as if 
its destiny were fulfilled, the sleepy little town — 
ten miles from the nearest railway — gradually 
settled into the comatose state in which Colonel 
Hathaway and his granddaughter now found it. 


CHAPTER II 


THE KENTON PLACE 

The tiny town, however, was not all that 
belonged to the Gragg ^s Crossing settlement. 
Barely a quarter of a mile away from the vil- 
lage a stream with beautifully wooded hanks 
ran diagonally through the countryside. It was 
called a river by the natives, hut it was more 
of a creek; halfway between a small rivulet and 
a brook, perhaps. But its banks afforded desir- 
able places for summer residences, several of 
which had been built by well-to-do families, either 
retired farmers or city people who wished for a 
cool and quiet place in which to pass the summer 
months. 

These residences, all having ample grounds 
and facing the creek on either side, were suffi- 
ciently scattered to be secluded, and it was to 
one of the most imposing of these that Uncle 
Eben guided the automobile. He crossed the 
creek on a primitive but substantial bridge, 
turned to the right, and the first driveway led 

19 


20 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


to the house that was to be Mary Louise’s tem- 
porary home. 

This is lovely! ” exclaimed the girl, as they 
rolled up a winding drive edged by trees and 
shrubbery, and finally drew up before the 
entrance of a low and rambling but quite modem 
house. There was Aunt Polly, her round black 
face all smiles, standing on the veranda to greet 
them, and Mary Louise sprang from the car first 
to hug the old servant — Uncle Eben’s spouse — 
and then to run in to investigate the establish- 
ment, which seemed much finer than she had 
dared to imagine it. 

The main building was of two stories, but the 
wings, several of which jutted out in various 
directions, were one story in height, somewhat on 
the bungalow plan. There was a good-sized 
stable in connection — now used as a garage — 
and down among the oaks toward the river an 
open pavilion had been built. All the open spaces 
were filled with flowers and ferns, in beds and, 
borders, and graveled paths led here and there 
in a very enticing way. But the house was now 
the chief fascination and the other details Mary 
Louise gleaned by sundry glances from open win- 
dows as she rambled from room to room. 


THE KENTON PLACE 


21 


At luncheon, which Aunt Polly served as soon 
as her young mistress could be coaxed from her 
tour of inspection, the girl said: 

Gran ’pa Jim, who owns this place? ” 

‘‘ A Mrs. Joselyn,” he replied. 

‘‘A young woman? ” 

I believe so. It was built by her mother, a 
Mrs. Kenton, some fifteen years ago, and is still 
called ‘ the Kenton Place.’ Mrs. Kenton died 
and her daughter, who married a city man named 
Joselyn, has used it as a summer home until 
this year. I think Mrs. Joselyn is a woman of 
considerable means.” 

The furnishings prove that,” said Mary 
Louise. They’re not all in the best of taste, 
but they are plentiful and meant to be luxurious. 
Why doesn’t Mrs. Joselyn occupy her home this 
summer? And why, if she is wealthy, does she 
rent the place? ” 

Those are problems I am unable to solve, 
my dear,” replied the Colonel with a smile. 
‘‘ When old man Cragg, who is the nearest 
approach to a real estate agent in the village, 
told me the place was for rent, I inquired the 
price and contracted to lease it for the summer. 
That satisfied me, Mary Louise, but if you wish 


22 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


to inquire into tlie history and antecedents of 
the Kenton and Joselyn families, I have no doubt 
there are plenty of village gossips who can fill 
your ears full of it.’’ 

Dar’s one thing I foun’ out, seh,” remarked 
Uncle Eben, who always served at table and was 
not too diffident to join in the conversation of 
his betters, at times; ‘‘ dis Joselyn man done 
dis ’pear — er run away — er dig out, somehow — 
an’ he missus is mos’ plumb crazy ’bout it.” 

When did that happen? ” asked Mary Louise. 

’Bout Chris ’mas time, de stoahkeepah say. 
Nobody don’t like him down heah, ’cause he put 
on a ’strord’nary ’mount o’ airs an’ didn’t mix 
wid de town people, nohow. De stoahkeepeh 
t’inks Marse Joselyn am crooked-like an’ done 
squandeh a lot o’ he wife’s money befoh he 
went.” 

n Perhaps,” said Mary Louise musingly, that 
is why the poor woman is glad to rent this house. 
I wish, however, we had gotten it for a more 
pleasant reason.” 

Don’t pay attention to Eben’s chatter, my 
dear,” advised her grandfather. His authority 
seems to be the ancient storekeeper, whom I saw 
but once and didn’t fancy. He looks like an old 


TPIE KENTON PLACE 


23 


owl, in those big, horn-rimmed spectacles/^ 

‘‘ Dat stoahkeepeh ain’ no owl, KunT,^^ 
asserted Uncle Eben earnestly. “ He done know 
all dey is to know ’roun’ dese diggings, an’ a lot 
moah, too. An’ a owl is a mighty wise bird, 
Kun’l, ef I do say it, an’ no disrespec’; so what 
dat stoahkeepeh say I’s boun’ to take notice of.” 

Mary Louise spent the afternoon in examining 
her new possession and ^ ^ getting settled. ’ ’ For — 
wonder of wonders ! — Joe Brennan arrived mth 
the trunks at three o’clock, some nine hours 
before the limit of midnight. The Colonel, as he 
paid the man, congratulated him on making 
such good time. 

‘‘ Ya-as,” drawled Joe; ‘‘I done pretty well, 
considerin’. But if I hadn’t hired out by the day 
I’d sure be’n a loser. I’ve be’n a good ten hours 
goin’ fer them trunks, fer I started at five this 
mornin’; so, if I’d tooken a doller fer the job, 
I’d only made ten cents a hour, my price bein’ 
twenty-five. But, as it is,” he added with pride, 
‘‘I git my reg’lar rate of a dollar ’n’ a quarter 
a day.” 

‘‘ Proving that it pays to drive a bargain,” 
commented the Colonel. 

Mary Louise unpacked Gran ’pa Jim’s trunk 


24 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

first and put his room in apple-pie order,’’ as 
Annt Polly admiringly asserted. Then she set- 
tled her own pretty room, held a conference with 
her servants about the meals and supplies, and 
found it was then time to dress for dinner. She 
was not yet old enough to find household duties 
a bore, so the afternoon had been delightfully 
spent. 

Early aftei^ breakfast the next morning, how- 
ever, Mary Louise started out to explore the 
grounds of her domain. The day was full of sun- 
shine and the air laden with fragrance of 
flowers — a typical May morning. Gran ’pa Jim 
would, of course, read for an hour or two and 
smoke his pipe; he drew a chair upon the broad 
veranda for this very purpose; but the girl had 
the true pioneer spirit of discovery and wanted 
to know exactly what her five acres contained. 

The water was doubtless the prime attraction 
in such a neighborhood. Mary Louise made 
straight for the river bank and found the shallow 
stream — here scarce fifty feet in width — rip- 
pling along over its stony bed, which was a full 
fifty feet wider than the volume of water then 
required. When the spring freshets were on per- 
haps the stream reached its banks, but in the 


THE KENTON PLACE 


25 


summer months it was usually subdued as now. 
The banks were four feet or more above the 
rubble of stones below, and close to the bank, fac- 
ing the river on her side, Mrs. Kenton had built 
a pretty pavilion with ample seats and room for 
half a dozen wicker chairs and a table, where 
one could sit and overlook the water. Mary 
Louise fervently blessed the old lady for this 
idea and at once seated herself in the pavilion 
while she examined at leisure the scene spread 
out before her. 

Trees hid all the neighboring residences but 
one. Just across the river and not far from 
its bank stood a small, weather-beaten cottage 
that was in sharp contrast with the rather 
imposing Kenton residence opposite. It was not 
well kept, nor even picturesque. The grounds 
were unattractive. A woodpile stood in the 
front yard; the steps leading to the little porch 
had rotted away and had been replaced by a 
plank — rather unsafe unless one climbed it care- 
fully, Mary Louise thought. There were time- 
worn shades to the windows, but no curtains. 
A pane of glass had been broken in the dormer 
window and replaced by a folded newspaper 
tacked over it. Beside the porch door stood a 


26 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

waslitub on edge ; a few scraggly looking chickens 
wandered throngli the yard; if not an abode 
of poverty it was surely a place where careless 
indifference to either beauty or the comfort of 
orderly living prevailed. 

So much Mary Louise had observed, wonder- 
ing why Mrs. Kenton had not bought the cottage 
and torn it down, since it was a blot on the 
surrounding landscape, when she saw the door 
open and a man come out. She gave a little 
gasp of astonishment as her eyes followed this 
man, who slowly took the path to the bridge, 
from whence the road led into the village. 


CHAPTER III 


THE FOLKS ACKOSS THE KIVER 

Her first glance told the girl that here was a 
distinctly unusual personage. His very appear- 
ance was quaint enough to excite comment from 
a stranger. It must have been away back in the 
revolutionary days when men daily wore coats 
cut in this fashion, straight across, the waist-line 
in front and with two long tails flapping behind. 
Modern dress coats ’’ were much like it, to be 
sure, but this was of a faded blue-bottle color 
and had brass buttons and a frayed velvet collar 
on it. His trousers were tight-fitting below the 
knee and he wore gaiters and a wide-brimmed 
silk hat that rivaled his own age and had doubt- 
less seen happier days. 

Mary Louise couldnT see all these details from 
her seat in the pavilion across the river, but 
she was near enough to observe the general 
effect of the old man’s antiquated costume and 
it amazed her. 

Yes, he was old, nearly as ancient as his 

27 


28 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

apparel, the girl decided; but although he moved 
with slow deliberation his gait was not feeble, 
by any means. With hands clasped behind him 
and head slightly bowed, as if in meditation, he 
paced the length of the well-worn path, reached 
the bridge and disappeared down the road toward 
the village. 

* ^ That, ’ ’ said a voice beside her, ^ ‘ is the Pooh- 
Bah of Cragg’s Crossing. It is old Cragg him- 
self.’’ 

Gran ’pa Jim was leaning against the outer 
breast of the pavilion, book in hand. 

You startled me,” she said, but no more 
than that queer old man did. Was the village 
named after him. Gran ’pa? ” 

‘‘ I suppose so; or after his father, perhaps, 
for the place seems even older than old Cragg. 
He has an ‘ office ’ in a bare little room over the 
store, and I rented this place from him. What- 
ever his former fortunes may have been — and 
I imagine the Craggs once owned all the land 
about here — old Hezekiah seems reduced to a 
bare existence.” 

Perhaps,” suggested Mary Louise, ‘‘ he 
inherited those clothes with the land, from his 
father. Isn’t it an absurd costume, Gran ’pa Jim? 


THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER 29 

And in these days of advanced civilization, too! 
Of course old Hezekiah Cragg is not strong men- 
tally or he would refuse to make a laughing- 
stock of himself in that way.’’ 

Colonel Hathaway stared across the river for 
a time without answering. Then he said: 

‘‘ I do not think the natives here laugh at him, 
although I remember they called him ‘ Old Swal- 
lowtail ’ when I was directed to him as the only 
resident real estate agent. I found the old man 
quite shrewd in driving a bargain and thoroughly 
posted on all the affairs of the community. How- 
ever, he is not a gossip, but inclined to be taciturn. 
There is a fathomless look in his eyes and he is 
cold and unresponsive. Country life breeds 
strange characteristics in some people. The 
whimsical dress and mannerisms of old Mr. 
Cragg would not be tolerated in the cities, while 
here they seem regarded with unconcern because 
they have become familiar. I was rather pleased 
with his personality because he is the Cragg of 
Cragg’s Crossing. How much of the original 
plot of land he still owns I don’t know.” 

“ Why, he lives in that hovel! said the girl. 

‘‘So it seems, although he may have been 
merely calling there.’’ 


30 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

He fits the place,” she declared. ‘‘ It^s old 
and worn and neglected, just as he and his clothes 
are. I^d be sorry, indeed, to discover that Mr. 
Cragg lives anywhere else.” 

The Colonel, his finger between the leaves of 
the book he held, to mark the place where he 
was reading, nodded somewhat absently and 
started to turn away. Then he paused to ask 
anxiously : 

Does this place please you, my dear? ” 

Ever so much. Grandpa Jim! ” she replied 
with enthusiasm, leaning from her seat inside 
the pavilion to press a kiss upon his bare gray 
head. IVe a sense of separation from all the 
world, yet it seems good to be hidden away in 
this forgotten nook. Perhaps I wouldnT like it 
for always, you know, but for a summer it is 
simply delightful. We can rest — and rest — and 
rest ! — and be as cozy as can be. ’ ’ 

Again the old gentleman nodded, smiling at 
the girl this time. They were good chums, these 
two, and what pleased one usually pleased the 
other. 

Colonel Hathaway had endured a sad experi- 
ence recently and his handsome old face still 
bore the marks of past mental suffering. His 


THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER 


31 


only daughter, Beatrice Burrows, who was the 
mother of Mary Louise, had been indirectly 
responsible for the Colonel’s troubles, but her 
death had lifted the burden; her little orphaned 
girl, to whom no blame could be attached, was 
very dear to Gran ’pa Jim’s ” heart. Indeed, 
she was all he now had to love and care for 
and he continually planned to promote her hap- 
piness and to educate her to become a noble 
woman. Fortunately he had saved considerable 
money from the remains of an immense estate 
he had once possessed and so was able to do 
anything for his grandchild that he desired. In 
New York and elsewhere Colonel James Hatha- 
way had a host of influential friends, but he was 
shy of meeting them since his late unpleasant 
experiences. 

Mary Louise, for her part, was devotedly 
attached to her grandfather and preferred his 
society to that of any other person. As the 
erect form of the old gentleman sauntered away 
through the trees she looked after him affection- 
ately and wagged her little head with hearty 
approval. 

This is just the place for Gran ’pa Jim,” she 
nrased. There’s no one to bother him with 


32 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


questions or sympathy and he can live as quietly 
as he likes and read those stuffy old books — the 
very name ‘ classics ’ makes me shudder — to 
his heart’s content. He’ll grow stronger and 
happier here, I’m sure.”^ 

Then she turned anew to revel in the constantly 
shifting view of river and woodland that 
extended panoramically from her seat in the 
pavilion. As her eyes fell on the old cottage 
opposite she was surprised to see a dishpan sail 
through the open window, to fall with a clatter 
of broken dishes on the hard ground of the yard. 
A couple of dish-towels followed, and then a 
broom and a scrubbing-brush — all tossed out in 
an angry, energetic way that scattered them in 
every direction. Then on the porch appeared the 
form of a small girl, poorly dressed in a shabby 
gingham gown, who danced up and down for 
a moment as if mad with rage and then, observ- 
ing the washtub, gave it a kick which sent it 
rolling off the porch to join the other utensils 
on the ground. 

Next, the small girl looked around her as if 
seeking more inanimate things upon which to 
vent her anger, but finding none she dashed 
into the cottage and soon reappeared with a 


THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER 


33 


much-worn straw hat which she jammed on her 
flaxen head and then, with a determined air, 
walked down the plank and marched up the 
path toward the bridge — the same direction 
that old Cragg had taken a short time before. 

Mary Louise gave a gasp of amazement. The 
scene had been dramatic and exciting while 
it lasted and it needed no explanation whatever. 
The child had plainly rebelled at enforced 
drudgery and was going — where? 

Mary Louise sprang lightly from her seat and 
ran through the grounds to their entrance. When 
she got to the road she sped along until she 
came to the bridge, reaching one end of it just 
as the other girl started to cross from the 
opposite end. Then she stopped and in a moment 
the two met. 

Where are you going? asked Mary Louise, 
laying a hand on the child ^s arm as she attempted 
to pass her. 

None o’ yer business,” was the curt reply. 

Oh, it is, indeed,” said Mary Louise, panting 
a little from her run. I saw you throw things, 
a minute ago, so I guess you mean to run away.” 

The girl turned and stared at her. 

I don’t know ye,” said she. Never saw 


31 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

ye before. Where ’d ye come from anyway ? ’’ 

Why, my grandfather and I have taken the 
Kenton house for the summer, so we^re to be 
your neighbors. Of course, you know, we must 
get acquainted.” 

Ye kin be neighbors to my Granddad, if ye 
like, but not to me. Not by a ginger cookie! 
I’ve done wi’ this place fer good an’ aU, I hev, 
and if ye ever see me here ag’in my name ain’t 
Ingua Scammel! ” 

Here; let’s sit down on the bridge and talk 
it over,” proposed Mary Louise. “ There’s 
plenty of time for you to run away, if you think 
you’d better. Is Mr. Cragg your grandfather, 
then? ” 

Yes, 01’ Swallertail is. ^01’ Humbug’ is 
what / calls him.” 

Not to his face, do you? ” 

I ain’t so foolish. He’s got a grip on him 
like a lobster, an’ when he’s mad at me he grips 
my arm an’ twists it till I holler. When Gran’- 
dad’s aroun’ you bet I hev to knuckle down, er 
I gits the worst of it.” 

So he’s cruel, is he? ” 

TJh-huh. Thet is, he’s cruel when I riles 
him, as I got a habit o’ doin’. When things runs 


THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER 35 

smooth, Granddad ain^t so bad; but I ain^t goin’ 
to stand that slave life no longer, I ain’t. IVe 
quit fer good.” 

‘‘ Wherever you go,” said Mary Louise gently, 
‘‘ you will have to work for someone. Someone, 
perhaps, who treats you worse than your grand- 
father does. No one else is obliged to care for 
you in any way, so perhaps you’re not making 
a wise change.” 

I ain’t, eh? ” 

Perhaps not. Have you any other relatives 
to go to? ” 

No.” 

Or any money? ” 

‘‘ Not a red cent.” 

‘‘ Then you’ll have to hire out as a servant. 
You’re not big enough or strong enough to do 
much, so you’ll search a long time before you 
find work, and that means being hungry and 
without shelter. I know more of the world than 
you do, Ingua — what an odd name you have ! — 
and I honestly think you are making a mistake 
to run away from your own grandfather.” 

The girl stared into the water in sullen silence 
for a time. Mary Louise got a good look at 
her now and saw that her freckled face might 


36 IVIARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

be pretty if it were not so tbin and drawn. The 
hands lying on her lap were red and calloused 
with housework and the child ^s whole appearance 
indicated neglect, from the broken-down shoes 
to the soiled and tattered dress. She seemed to 
be reflecting, for after a while she gave a short, 
bitter laugh at the recollection of her late exhi- 
bition of temper and said; 

“ It’s too late to back down now. I’ve busted 
the dishes an’ smashed things gen ’rally.” 

That is bad,” said Mary Louise; but it 
might be worse. Mr. Cragg can buy more 
dishes. ’ ’ 

Oh, he can, can he? Where’s the money 
cornin’ from? ” 

‘‘Is he poor? ” 

“ He ain’t got no money, if that’s what ye 
mean. That’s what he says, anyhow. Says 
it were a godsend you folks rented that house 
of him, ’cause it’ll keep us in com bread an’ 
pork for six months, ef we’re keerful. Bein’ 
keerful means that he’ll eat the pork an’ I gits 
a chunk o’ com bread now an’ then.” 

“ Dear me! ” exclaimed Mary Louise in a dis- 
tressed voice. “ Don’t you get enough to eat? ” 
“ Oh, I manages it somehow,” declared Ingua, 


THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER 37 

with indifference. I be’n swipin’ one egg a 
day fer weeks an’ weeks. Gran ’dad says he’ll 
trim me good an’ plenty if he catches me eatin’ 
eggs, ’cause all that our chickens lays he takes 
down to the store an’ sells. But he ain’t home 
daytimes, to count what eggs is laid, an’ so I 
watches out an’ grabs one a day. He’s mighty 
cute, I tell ye. Gran ’dad is; but he ain’t cute 
enough to catch me at the egg-swipin’.” 

Mary Louise was greatly shocked. Really, 
she decided, something must be done for this 
poor child. Looking at the matter from Ingua’s 
report, the smashing of the dishes might prove 
serious. So she said: 

Come, dear, let’s go together to your house 
and see if we can’t restore the damage.” 

But the girl shook her head. 

Noth’n’ can’t mend them busted dishes,” 
she said, an’ when Gran ’dad sees ’em he’ll 
hev a fit. That’s why I did it; I wanted to show 
him I’d had revenge afore I quit him cold. He 
won’t be home till night, but I gotta be a long 
way off, afore then, so’s he can’t ketch me.” 

Give it up,” suggested Mary Louise. ‘‘I’ve 
come here to live all summer, Ingua, and now 
that we’re friends I’m going to help you to get 


38 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

along more comfortably. We will have some 
splendid times together, you and I, and you will 
be a good deal better oft than wandering among 
strangers who don^t care for you.’^ 

The girl turned and looked into Mary Louise’s 
face long and earnestly. Her eyes wandered to 
her neatly arranged hair, to the white collar 
at her throat, then down to her blue serge dress 
and her dainty shoes. But mostly she looked 
straight into the eyes of her new friend and 
found there sincerity and evident good will. So 
she sighed deeply, cast a glance at her own 
bedraggled attire, and said: 

We ain’t much alike, us two, but I guess we 
kin be friends. Other girls has come here, to 
the rich people’s houses, but they all stuck up 
their noses at me. You’re the first that’s ever 
give me a word.” 

‘ ‘ All girls are not alike, you know, ’ ’ responded 
Mary Louise cheerfully. So now, let’s go to 
your house and see what damage has been done. ’ ’ 


CHAPTER IV 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 

The two girls had been sitting on the edge 
of the bridge, but Mary Louise now rose and 
took Ingua^s arm in her own, leading the reluc- 
tant child gently toward the path. It wasn’t 
far to the old cottage and when they reached 
the yard Ingua laughed again at the scene of 
disorder. 

It’s a ’most a pity Gran ’dad can’t see it,” 
she chuckled. He’d be so crazy he’d hev them 
claws o’ his’n ’round my throat in a jiffy.” 

Mary Louise drew back, startled. 

“ Did he ever do that? ” she asked. 

Only once; but that time near ended me. 
It were a long time ago, an’ he was sorry, I 
guess, ’cause he bought me a new dress nex’ 
day — an’ new shoes! I ain’t had any since,” 
she added disconsolately, so the other day I 
asked him wasn’t it about time he choked me 
ag’in.” 


39 


40 


IMARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ What did he say to that? ” 

Jes^ growled at me. Granddad’s got a awfnl 
temper when he’s good an’ riled, but usual’ he’s 
still as a mouse. Don’t say a word to me fer 
days together, sometimes. Once I saw him — ” 
She suddenly checked herself and cast an 
uneasy, sidelong glance at her companion. Mary 
Louise was rolling the washtub back to the stoop. 

The only thing that will bother us, Ingua,” 
she said, is those dishes. Let us try to count 
the broken ones. Do you know how many there 
were? ” 

Sure I do,” answered the girl, removing the 
battered dishpan from the heap of crockery. 
‘‘ Two plates, two cups- ’n ’-saucers, a oatmeal 
dish, a bread plate an’ the pork platter. Gee! 
what a smash. One cup’s whole — an’ the oat- 
meal dish. The rest is gone-up.” 

I’m going to dig a hole and bury the broken 
pieces,” said Mary Louise. ‘‘ Have you a 
spade? ” 

There’s an ol’ shovel. But it won’t do no 
good to bury of ’em. Gran ’dad he counts ev’ry 
piece ev’ry day. He counts ev’ry thing, from 
the grains of salt to the chickens. Say, once I 
tried to play a trick on him. I’d got so hungry 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 


41 


fer meat I jes’ couldn^t stand it, so one day I 
killed a chick ’n, thinkin’ he wouldn^t miss it. 
My — my! Wha’ d^ye s’pose? Say, ye never 
told me yer name yit/’ 

“ I am Mary Louise Burrows.’’ 

Highflyin’ name, ain’t it? Well, I killed 
thet chick ’n, an’ cut it up an’ fried it, an’ et 
jes’ a leg an’ a wing, an’ hid the rest under my 
bed in the peak up there, where 01’ Swallertail 
never goes. All the feathers an’ the head I 
buried, an’ I cleaned up the hatchet an’ the fry- 
in ’-pan so’s there wasn’t a smitch of anything left 
to prove I ’d murdered one o ’ them chicks. I was 
feelin’ kinder chirky when Gran ’dad come home, 
’cause I thought he’d never find out. But what 
did the ol’ vill’n do but begin to sniff aroun’; 
an’ he sniffed an’ he sniffed till he says: ^ Ingua, 
what chick ’n did ye kill, an’ why did ye kill it? ’ 
‘‘ ‘ Yer crazy,’ says I. ^ What ’re ye talkin’ 
’bout? ’ 

Then he gives me one sour look an’ marches 
out to count the chick ’ns, an’ when he comes 
back he says: ‘ It’s the brown pullet with white 
on the wings. It were worth forty cents, an’ 
forty cents ’ll buy ten pounds o’ oatmeal. 
Where’s the chick ’n, girl? ’ ‘ Et up,’ says I. 


42 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

‘ Yer lyin^^ says he. ‘ Go git it! Hustle! ’ 
Well, I saw his claws beginnin' to work an^ 
it scared me stiff. So I goes to my room an’ 
brings down the chick ’n, an’ he eyes it quiet-like 
fer a long time an’ then eats some fer his 
supper. The rest he locks up in the cupboard 
that he alius carries the key to. Say, Mary 
Louise, I never got another taste o’ that chick ’n 
as long as it lasted! 01’ Swallertail et it all 
himself, an’ took a week to do it.” 

During this recital the broom and mop and 
scrubbing-brush had been picked up and restored 
to their proper places. Then the two girls got 
out the old shovel and buried the broken dishes 
in a far comer of the yard, among high weeds. 
Mary Louise tried to get the dents out of the 
old dishpan, but succeeded only indifferently. It 
was so battered through long use, however, that 
Ingua thought the ‘‘ jams ” would not be noticed. 

‘‘ Next,” said Mary Louise, ‘‘ we must replace 
the broken pieces. I suppose they sell dishes 
at the village store, do they not? ” 

‘‘ That’s where these come from — long ago,” 
replied Ingua; ‘‘ but dishes cost money.” 

I’ve a little money in my purse; enough for 
that, I’m sure. Will you go to town with me? ” 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 43 

Ingua stared at her as if bewildered. The 
proposition was wholly beyond her understand- 
ing. But she replied to her new friend’s ques- 
tion, saying slowly: 

‘‘No; I won’t go. 01’ Swallertail’d skin me 
alive if he caught me in the village.” 

“ Then I’ll go alone; and I’ll soon be back, 
though I must run over to my own house first, 
to get my purse and my hat. Let me have one 
of the cups for a sample, Ingua.” 

She left the child sitting on the plank runway 
and looking rather solemn and thoughtful. Mary 
Louise was somewhat fearful that she might run 
away in her absence, so she hurried home and 
from there walked into the village, a tramp 
easily accomplished in ten minutes. 

The store was the biggest building in town, 
but not very big at that. It was “ clapboarded ” 
and two stories in height, the upper floor being 
used by Sol Jerrems, the storekeeper, as a resi- 
dence, except for two little front rooms which 
he rented, one to Miss Huckins, the dressmaker 
and milliner, who slept and ate in her shop, and 
the other to Mr. Cragg. A high platform had 
been built in front of the store, for the con- 
venience of farmer customers in muddy weather, 


44 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

and there were steps at either end of the plat- 
form for the use of pedestrians. 

When Mary Louise entered the store, which 
was cluttered with all sorts of goods, not 
arranged in very orderly manner, there were 
several farmers present. But old Sol had his 
eye on her in an instant and shuffled forward 
to wait upon her. 

I want some crockery, please,’’ she said. 

He looked at the sample cup and led her to 
a comer of the room where a jumble of dishes 
crowded a single shelf. 

I take it you’re one o’ them new folks at the 
Kenton Place,” he remarked. 

‘‘Yes,” said she. 

“ Thought ther’ was plenty o’ dishes in that 
place,” continued Mr. Jerrems, in a friendly 
tone. “ But p’r’aps ye don’t want the black 
folks eat off’n the same things ye do yer- 
selves.” 

Mary Louise ignored this speech and selected 
the dishes she wanted. She had measured the 
broken platter and found another of the same 
size. Old Sol wouldn’t sell a saucer without a 
cup, explaining that the two always went 
together: “ the cup to hold the stuff an’ the 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 


45 


saucer to drink it out^n/’ Without argument, 
however, the girl purchased what she wanted. It 
was heavy, cheap ware of the commonest kind, 
but she dared not substitute anything better 
for it. 

Then she went to the grocery counter and after 
considering what Ingua might safely hide and 
eat in secret she bought a tin of cooked corned 
beef, another of chipped beef, one of deviled ham 
and three tins of sardines. Also she bought a 
basket to carry her purchases in and although 
old Sol constantly sought to ‘‘ pump ” her con- 
cerning her past life, present history and future 
prospects, she managed to evade successfully 
his thirst for information. No doubt the fellow 
was a great gossip, as old Eben had declared, but 
Mary Louise knew better than to cater to this 
dangerous talent. 

The proprietor accompanied her to the door 
and she drew back, hesitating, as she observed 
an old man in a bottle-blue swallowtail coat pace 
in deliberate, dignified manner along the oppo- 
site side of the street. 

‘‘ Who is that? she asked, as an excuse for 
not going out until Ingua^s grandfather had 
passed from sight. 


46 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


That? Why, that’s OP Swallertail, other- 
wise Hezekiah Gragg, one o’ our most interestin’ 
citizens,” replied Sol, glad of the chance to talk. 

Does he own Gragg’s Grossing? ” asked 
Mary Louise. 

‘‘ Mercy, no! He owned a lot of it once, 
though, but that were afore my time. Sold it 
out an’ squandered the money, I guess, for he 
lives like a rat in a hole. Mebhe, though, he’s 
got some hid away; that’s what some o’ the 
folks here whispers — folks that’s likely to know. 
But, if that’s a fact, he’s got a streak o’ miser in 
him, for he don’t spend more’n the law allows.” 

He may have lost the money in specula- 
tions,” suggested the girl. 

‘ ‘ Say, ye ’ve hit the nail square on the head ! ’ ’ 
he exclaimed admiringly. Them’s my own 
opinions to a T. I’ve told the boys so a hunderd 
times, but they can’t git it. Wasn’t 01’ Swal- 
lertail hand-in-glove wi’ that slick Mister Joselyn, 
who they say has run away an’ left his pore 
wife in the lurch? That’s how you got a chance 
to rent the Kenton house. Joselyn were slick 
as butter, an’ high-strung. Wouldn’t hobnob 
with any o’ us but OP Swallertail, an’ that’s why 
I think Gragg was investin’ money with him. 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 


47 


Joselyn lie came down here three year ago, 
havin^ married Annabel Kenton in the winter, 
an’ the way he swelled aroun’ were a caution to 
snakes. But the pore devil run his rope an’ lit 
out. Where he skipped to, I dunno. Nobuddy 
seems to know, not even his wife. But they say 
she didn’t hev enough money left to count, an’ 
by the glum looks o’ 01’ Swallertail I’m guessin’ 
he got nipped too.” 

** How long ago was that? ” asked Mary 
Louise. 

Some time ’bout last Christmas, they say. 
Anyhow, that’s when his wife missed him an’ 
set up a hunt that didn’t do no good. She came 
down here with red eyes an’ tramped ’round in 
the deep snow askin’ questions. But, sakes, Ned 
Joselyn wouldn’t ’a’ come to an out-o’-the-way 
place like this; we didn’t never suit his style, 
ye see; so poor Ann Kenton — whose misfortun’ 
made her Mrs. Ned Joselyn — cried an’ wailed 
fer a day er two an’ then crep’ back to the city 
like a whipped dog. Funny how women’ll care 
fer a wuthless, ne’er-do-well chap that happens 
to be good-lookin’, ain’t it? ” 

Mary Louise nodded rather absently. How- 
ever distorted the story might be, it was curious 


48 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


what had become of Mr. Joselyn. But her 
thoughts reverted to another theme and she 
asked : 

Hasn’t Mr. Cragg a granddaughter? 

Oh, yeVe seen little Ingua Scammel, hev ye? 
Or mebbe just heard tell of her. She’s the cuss- 
edest little coal o’ fire in seven counties I Keeps 
01’ Swallertail guessin’ all the time, they say, 
jes’ like her mom. Nan Cragg, did afore her. 
Gosh, what a woman her mom were! She didn’t 
stay ’round here much, but whenever she run 
out o’ cash an’ didn’t hev a square meal cornin’ 
to her, she camped on 01’ Swallertail an’ made 
him board her. Las’ time she come she left her 
young-un — that’s Ingua, ye know — -an’ the 
kid’s been here ever since; sort of a thorn in 
the side of ol’ Hezekiah, we folks think, though 
he don’t never complain. She ain’t more’n 
twelve or thirteen year old, thet Ingua, but she 
keeps house fer her gran ’dad — what they is to 
keep, which ain’t much. I won’t let the kid 
’round my store, nohow, ’cause she swipes ev’ry- 
thing, from dried apples to peanuts, thet she kin 
lay her hands on.” 

‘‘ Perhaps she is hungry,” said Mary Louise, 
defending her new friend. 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 49 

Like enough. But I ain^t feedin’ starvin^ 
kids. ’Tain^t my business. If OP Swallertail 
don’t feed her enough, thet’s his lookout. IVe 
warned him if she sets foot in this store I’ll 
charge him ten cents, jes’ fer safety, so he keeps 
her out. He’s slick, 01’ Swallertail is, an’ silent- 
like an’ secret in all he does an’ says; but he’s 
got to git up earlier in the mo min’ to git the 
best o’ Sol Jerrems, he er his kid, either one.” 

As Mr. Cragg had now vanished from sight up 
the street, Mary Louise ventured out and after 
a brisk walk deposited her basket on the stoop 
of the Cragg cottage, where Ingua still sat, 
swinging her feet pensively, as if she had not 
stirred since Mary Louise had left her. 


CHAPTEE V 


MARY LOUISE BECOMES A PEACEMAKER 

Here are the dishes, exactly like the broken 
ones,’’ reported Mary Louise in a jubilant tone 
as she set down her heavy basket. Let us go 
in and wash them, Ingua, and put them away 
where they belong.” 

The child followed her into the house. All her 
former pent-up energy seemed to have evapor- 
ated. She moved in a dull sort of way that 
betokened grim resignation. 

“I’ve be’n plannin’ fer months to make a run 
fer it,” she remarked as she washed the new 
dishes and Mary Louise wiped them dry, “ an’ 
just when I’d mustered up courage to do the 
trick, along comes you an’ queered the whole 
game.” 

“ You’ll thank me for that, some day, Ingua. 
Aren’t you glad, even now, that you have a home 
and shelter? ” 

“I ain’t tickled to death about it. Home! ” 

50 


BECOMES A PEACEMAKER 


51 


with a scornful glance around the room, barren 
of all comforts. ‘‘ A graveyard’s a more 
cheerful place, to my notion.” 

“We must try to make it pleasanter, dear. 
I’m going to get acquainted with Mr. Cragg and 
coax him to brighten things up some, and buy 
you some new clothes, and take better care of 
you. ’ ’ 

Ingua fell back on a stool, fairly choking twixt 
amazement and derision. 

“You! Coax 01’ Swallertail? Make him 
spend money on me! Say, if ye wasn’t a stranger 
here, Mary Louise, I’d jes’ laugh; but bein’ as 
how yer a poor innercent. I’ll only say ther’ 
ain’t no power on earth kin coax Gran ’dad to 
do anything better than to scowl an’ box my 
ears. You don’t know him, but 1 do.” 

“ Meantime,” said Mary Louise, refusing to 
argue the point, “ here are some little things 
for you to hide away, and to eat whenever you 
please,” and she took from the basket the canned 
goods she had bought and set them in an enticing 
row upon the table. 

Ingua stared at the groceries and then stared 
at Mary Louise. Her wan face flushed and 
then grew hard. 


52 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Ye bought them fer me? she asked. 

^^Yes; so you won’t have to steal eggs to 
satisfy your natural hunger.” 

Well, ye kin take the truck away ag’in. An’ 
you’d better go with it,” said the girl indignantly. 

We may be poor, but we ain’t no beggars, an’ 
we don’t take charity from nobody.” 

But your grandfather — ” 

‘‘ We’ll pay our own bills an’ buy our own 
fodder. The Craggs is jus’ as good as yer 
folks, an’ I’m a Cragg to the backbone,” she 
cried, her eyes glinting angrily. ‘‘If we want 
to starve, it’s none o’ yer business, ner nobody 
else’s,” and springing up she seized the tins one 
by one and sent them flying through the window, 
as she had sent the dishpan and dishes earlier 
in the morning. “ Now, then, foller yer charity 
an’ make yerself scarce! ” and she stamped her 
foot defiantly at Mary Louise, who was dumb 
with astonishment. 

It was hard to understand this queer girl. 
She had made no objection to replacing the 
broken dishes, yet a present of food aroused 
her to violent anger. Her temper was positively 
something terrible in so small a person and 
remembering her story of how Old Swallowtail 


BECOMES A PEACEMAKER 


53 


had clenched his talon-like fingers and twisted 
Ingua^s arm till she screamed with pain, Mary 
Louise could well believe the statement that 
the child was a Cragg to the backbone/’ 

But Mary Louise, although only a few years 
older than Ingua, had had a good deal more 
experience and was, moreover, a bom diplomat. 
Astonished though she was, she quickly compre- 
hended the peculiar pride exhibited in a refusal 
to accept food from a stranger and knew she 
must soothe the girl’s outraged spirit of inde- 
pendence if they were to remain friends. 

“ I guess I’ll have to beg your pardon, Ingua,” 
she said quietly. I was grieved that you are 
so often hungry, while I have so much more than 
I need, and the money which I spent was all my 
own, to do what I liked with. If I were in your 
place, and you in mine, and we were good 
chums, as I know we’re going to be, I’d be glad 
to have you help me in any little way you could. 
True friends, Ingua, share and share alike and 
don’t let any foolish pride come between them.” 

She spoke earnestly, with a ring of sincerity 
in her voice that impressed the other girl. 
Ingua ’s anger had melted as quickly as it had 
roused and with sudden impulsiveness she seized 


54 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Mary Louise’s hands in her own and began to 
cry. 

‘‘I’m as wicked as they make ’em! ” she 
wailed. “I know I am! But I can’t help it, 
Mary Louise; it’s homed in me. I want to be 
friends with ye, but I won’t take your charity 
if I starve. Not now, anyhow. Here; I’ll go 
git the stuff an’ put it back in yer basket, an’ 
then ye kin lug it home an’ do what ye please 
with it.” 

They picked up the cans together, Ingua grow- 
ing more calm and cheerful each moment. She 
even laughed at Mary Louise’s disappointed 
expression and said: 

“ I don’t always hev tantrams. This is my 
bad day; but the devils’ll work out o’ me by 
termorrer and I’ll be sweet as sugar. I’m sorry; 
but it’s the Cragg blood that sets me crazy, at 
times.” 

“Won’t you run over and see me? ” asked 
Mary Louise, preparing to go home. 

“ When? ” 

“ This afternoon.” 

Ingua shook her head. 

“ I dastn’t,” she said. “ I gotta hold myself 
in, the rest o’ the day, so’s I won’t fight with 


BECOMES A PEACEMAKER 


55 


OP Swallertail when he comes home. Anyhow, 
I ain’t fit t’ show up aronn’ yer swell place. 
That black coon o’ yers’d turn me out, if he saw 
me cornin’, thinkin’ I was a tramp.” 

Mary Louise had a bright idea. 

“I’m going to have tea to-morrow afternoon 
in that summer-house across the creek,” said 
she. “ I will be all alone and if you will come 
over and join me we’ll have a nice visit together. 
Will you, Ingua? ” 

“ I guess so,” was the careless answer. 
“ When ye’re ready, jes’ wave yer han’ker’cher 
an if the devils ain’t squeezin’ my gizzard, like 
they is to-day, I’ll be there in a jiffyP^ 


CHAPTER VI 


AFTEKNOON TEA 

Mary Louise, who possessed a strong sense of 
humor, that evening at dinner told Grandpa Jim 
of her encounter with old Mr. Gragg’s grand- 
daughter and related their interview in so whim- 
sical a manner that Colonel Hathaway laughed 
aloud more than once. But he also looked seri- 
ous, at times, and when the recital was ended 
he gravely considered the situation and said : 

I believe, my dear, you have discovered a 
mine of human interest here that will keep 
you occupied all summer. It was most fortunate 
for the poor child that you interpreted her intent 
to run away from home and foiled it so cleverly. 
From the little girl’s report, that grim and dig- 
nified grandsire of hers has another and less 
admirable side to his character and, unless she 
grossly exaggerates, has a temper so violent that 
he may do her a mischief some day.” 

‘‘I’m afraid of that, too,” declared Mary 

56 


AFTERNOON TEA 


57 


Louise, ‘‘ especially as the child is so provoking. 
Yet I^m sure Ingua has a sweeter side to her 
nature, if it can be developed, and perhaps old 
Cragg has, too. Do you think. Grandpa Jim, it 
would be advisable for me to plead with him to 
treat his orphaned grandchild more consider- 
ately? 

Not at present, my dear. ITl make some 
inquiries concerning Cragg and when we know 
more about him we can better judge how best 
to help Ingua. Are you sure that is her name ? ’ ’ 
‘‘ Yes; isn’t it an odd name? ” 

Somewhere,” said the Colonel, musingly, 
I have heard it before, but just now I cannot 
recollect where. It seems to me, however, that 
it was a man’s name. Do you think the child’s 
mother is dead? ” 

‘‘ I gathered from what Ingua and the store- 
keeper said that she has simply disappeared.” 

‘‘ An erratic sort of creature, from the vague 
reports you have heard,” commented Gran ’pa 
Jim. But, whatever her antecedents may have 
been, there is no reason why Ingua may not be 
rescued from her dreadful environments and be 
made to become a quite proper young lady, if 
not a model one. But that can only result from 


58 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

changing tlie existing character of her environ- 
ment, rather than taking her out of them.’’ 

That will be a big task, Gran ’pa Jim, and 
it may prove beyond me, but I’ll do the best I 
can. ’ ’ 

He smiled. 

These little attempts to help our fellows,” 
said the Colonel, not only afford us pleasure 
but render us stronger and braver in facing our 
own tribulations, which none, however securely 
placed, seem able to evade.” 

Mary Louise gave him a quick, sympathetic 
glance. He had surely been brave and strong 
during his own period of tribulation and the 
girl felt she could rely on his aid in whatever 
sensible philanthropy she might undertake. She 
was glad, indeed, to have discovered poor Ingua, 
for she was too active and of too nervous a tem- 
perament to be content simply to rest ” all 
summer. Rest was good for Gran ’pa Jim, just 
now, but rest pure and simple, with no compen- 
sating interest, would soon drive Mary Louise 
frantic. 

She conferred with Aunt Polly the next day 
and told the faithful black servant something of 
her plans. So, when the old cook lugged a huge 


AFTERNOON TEA 


59 


basket to the pavilion for her in the afternoon, 
and set a small table with snowy linen and bright 
silver, with an alcohol arrangement for making 
tea, she said with an air of mystery: 

“ Don’ yo’ go open dat bastik, Ma’y Weeze, 
till de time comes fer eatin’. I jes’ wants to 
s ’prise yo’ — yo’ an’ dat li’l’ pooah girl what 
gits hungry so much.” 

So, when Aunt Polly had gone back to the 
house, Mary Louise arranged her table and 
then stood up and waved a handkerchief to signal 
that all was ready. 

Soon Ingua appeared in her doorway, hesi- 
tated a moment, and then ran down the plank 
and advanced to the river bank instead of fol- 
lowing the path to the bridge. Almost opposite 
the pavilion Mary Louise noticed that several 
stones protruded from the surface of the water. 
They were not in a line, but placed irregularly. 
However, Ingua knew their lie perfectly and was 
able to step from one to another until she had 
quickly passed the water. Then she ran up the 
dry bed of the river to the bank, where steps 
led to the top. 

‘ ‘ Why, this is fine ! ’ ’ exclaimed Mary Louise, 
meeting her little friend at the steps. ‘‘I’d no 


60 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


idea one could cross the river in that way.’’ 

‘‘ Oh, we’ve known ’bont that always,” was 
the reply. Ned Joselyn used to come to our 
house ever so many times by the river stones, to 
talk with 01’ Swallertail, an’ Gran ’dad used to 
come over here, to this same summer-house, an’ 
talk with Joselyn.” 

Mary Louise noticed that the old gingham 
dress had been washed, ironed and mended — all 
in a clumsy manner. Ingua’s blond hair had also 
been trained in awkward imitation of the way 
Mary Louise dressed her own brown locks. The 
child, observing her critical gaze, exclaimed with 
a laugh: 

“ Yes, I’ve slicked up some. No one’ll see me 
but you, will they? ” she added suspiciously. 

‘‘No, indeed; we’re to be all alone. How do 
you feel to-day, Ingua? ” 

“ The devils are gone. Gran ’dad didn’t 
’spicion anything las’ night an’ never said a 
word. He had one o’ his dreamy fits an’ writ 
letters till long after I went to bed. This mornin’ 
he said as ol’ Sol Jerrems has raised the price 
o’ flour two cents, so I’ll hev to be keerful; but 
that was all. No rumpus ner anything.” 

“ That’s nice,” said Mary Louise, leading her, 


AFTERNOON TEA 


61 


arm in arm, to the pavilion. Aren’t yon glad 
you didn’t run away? ” 

Ingua did not reply. Her eyes, big and round, 
were taking in every detail of the table. Then 
they wandered to the big basket and Mary 
Louise smiled and said: 

“ The table is set, as you see, but I don’t 
know what we’re to have to eat. I asked Aunt 
Polly to put something in the basket, as I was 
going to have company, and I’m certain there’ll 
be enough for two, whatever it’s like. You see, 
this is a sort of surprise party, for we won’t 
know what we ’ve got until we unpack the 
basket.” 

Ingua nodded, much interested. 

Ye said ‘ tea,’ ” she remarked, ‘‘an’ I 
hain’t tasted tea sence Marm left us. But I 
s’pose somethin’ goes with tea? ” 

“ Always. Tea means a lunch, you know, and 
I’m very hungry because I didn’t eat much 
luncheon at noon. I hope you are hungry, too, 
Ingua,” she added, opening the basket and begin- 
ning to place its contents upon the table. 

Ingua may have considered a reply unneces- 
sary, for she made none. Her eyes were grow- 
ing bigger every moment, for here were dainty 


62 


AFTERNOON TEA 


sandwiclies, cakes, jelly, a pot of marmalade, an 
assortment of cold meats, olives, Saratoga chips, 
and last of all a chicken pie still warm from the 
oven — one of those chicken pies that Aunt 
Polly conld make as no one else ever made them. 

Even Mary Louise was surprised at the array 
of eatables. It was a veritable feast. But without 
comment she made the tea, the water being 
already boiling, and seating Ingua opposite her 
at the table she served the child as liberally as 
she dared, bearing in mind her sensitiveness to 

charity. 

But Ingua considered this a ‘‘ party,’’ where 
as a guest she was entitled to all the good 
things, and she ate with a ravenous haste that 
was pitiful, trying the while not to show how 
hungry she was or how good everything tasted 
to her. 

Mary Louise didn’t burden her with conver- 
sation during the meal, which she prolonged until 
the child positively could eat no more. Then 
she drew their chairs to a place where they had 
the best view of the liver and woodland — with 
the old Cragg cottage marring the foreground — 
and said: 

Now we will have a good, long talk together.” 


AFTERNOON TEA 


63 


Ingua sighed deeply. 

Don’t we hev to do the dishes! ” she asked. 

‘‘No; Aunt Polly will come for them, by and 
by. All we have to do now is to enjoy your 
visit, which I hope you will repeat many times 
while I am living here.” 

Again the child sighed contentedly. 

“ I wish ye was goin’ ter stay always,” she 
remarked. “ You folks is a sight nicer ’n that 
Joselyn tribe. They kep’ us stirred up a good 
deal till Ned — ” 

She stopped abruptly. 

“ What were the Joselyns like! ” inquired 
Mary Louise, in a casual tone that was meant 
to mask her curiosity. 

“ Well, that’s hard to say,” answered Ingua 
thoughtfully. “01’ Mis’ Kenton were a good 
lady, an’ ev’rybody liked her; hut after she died 
Ann Kenton come down here with a new bus- 
ban’, who were Ned Joselyn, an’ then things 
began to happen. Ned was slick as a ban ’box 
an’ wouldn’t hobnob with nobody, at first; but 
one day he got acquainted with 01’ Swallertail 
an’ they made up somethin’ wonderful. I guess 
other folks didn’t know ’bout their bein’ so close, 
fer they was sly ’bout it, gen ’rally. They’d meet 


64 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

in this sununer-honse, or they’d meet at our 
house, crossin’ the river on the steppin ’-stones; 
but when Ned came over to us Gran ’dad alius 
sent me away an’ said he’d skin me if I listened. 
But one day — No, I mus’n’t tell that,” she 
said, checking herself quickly, as a hard look 
came over her face. 

<< Why not! ” softly asked Mary Louise. 

’Cause if I do I’ll git killed, that’s why,” 
answered the child, in a tone of conviction. 

Something in her manner startled her hearer. 

‘‘ Who would kill you, Ingua? ” she asked. 

Gran ’dad would.” 

‘‘ Oh, I’m sure he wouldn’t do that, whatever 
you said.” 

Ye don’t know Gran ’dad, Mary Louise. He’d 
as lief kill me as look at me, if I give him cause 
to.” 

And he has asked you not to talk about 
Mr. Joselyn? ” 

He tol’ me ter keep my mouth shet or he’d 
murder me an’ stick my body in a hole in the 
yard. An’ he’d do it in a minute, ye kin bank 
on that.” 

Then,” said Mary Louise, looking troubled, 
‘‘ I advise you not to say anything he has for- 


AFTERNOON TEA 


65 


bidden you to. And, if anything ever happens 
to you while I^m here, I shall tell Grandpa Jim to 
have Mr. Gragg arrested and put in prison.’’ 

Will ye? Will ye — honest? ” asked the girl 
eagerly. “ Say! that’ll help a lot. If I’m killed, 
I’ll know I’ll be revenged.” 

So tragic was her manner that Mary Louise 
could have laughed outright had she not felt 
there was a really serious foundation for Irigua’s 
fears. There was something about the silent, 
cold-featured, mysterious old man that led her 
to believe he might be guilty of any crime. But, 
after all, she reflected, she knew Mr. Gragg’s 
character only from Ingiia’s description of it, and 
the child feared and hated him. 

‘‘ What does your grandfather do in his office 
all day? ” she inquired after a long pause. 

Writes letters an’ reads the ones he gits, I 
guess. He don’t let me go to his office.’^ 

Does he get many letters, then? ” 

‘‘ Heaps an’ heaps of ’em. You ask Jim 
Bennett, who brings the mail bag over from the 
station ev’ry day.” 

‘‘ Is Jim Bennett the postman? ” 

His wife is. Jim lugs the mail ’tween the 
station an’ his own house — that’s the little white 


66 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


house next the church — where his wife, who’s 
deef-’n’-dumb, runs the postoffice. I know Jim. 
He says there’s ’bout six letters a year for the 
farmers ’round here, an’ ’bout one a week for 
Sol Jerrems — which is mostly bills — an’ all 
the rest belongs to 01’ Swallertail. ” 

Mary Louise was puzzled. 

Has he a business, then? ” she asked. 

Not as anybody knows of.” 

* ^ But why does he receive and answer so many 
letters? ” 

Ye’ll hev to guess. I’ve guessed, myself; 
but what’s the use? If he was as stingy of 
postage stamps as he is of pork an’ oatmeal, he 
wouldn’t send a letter a year.” 

Mary Louise scented a mystery. Mysteries 
are delightful things to discover, and fascinating 
to solve. But who would have thought this quiet, 
retired village harbored a mystery? 

Does your grandfather ever go away from 
here? Does he travel much? ” was her next 
question. 

He ain’t never been out of Gragg’s Crossing 
sence I’ve knowed him.” 

Really,” said Mary Louise, ‘‘it is perplex- 
ing.” 


AFTERNOON TEA 


67 


Ingna nodded. She was feeling quite happy 
after her lunch and already counted Mary Louise 
a warm friend. She had never had a friend 
before, yet here was a girl of nearly her own 
age who was interested in her and her history 
and sweetly sympathetic concerning her woes 
and worries. To such a friend Ingua might 
confide anything, almost; and, while she was 
not fully aware of that fact just now, she said 
impulsively : 

‘‘ Without tellin^ what^d cost me my life, or 
lettin’ anybody know what’s become of Ned 
Joselyn, I’ll say they was money — lots o’ 
money! — passed atween him an’ ol’ Swallertail. 
Sometimes the heap went to one, an’ sometimes 
to the other; I seen it with my own eyes, when 
Gran ’dad didn’t know I was spyin’. But it 
didn’t stick to either one, for Ned was — ” She 
stopped short, then continued more slowly : 

When Ned dis’peared, he’d spent all his own 
an’ his wife’s money, an’ 01’ Swallertail ain’t 
got enough t’ live decent.” 

“ Are you sure of that, Ingua f ” 

N-o, I ain’t sure o’ noth’n. But he don’t 
spend no money, does he? ” 

For stamps,” Mary Louise reminded her. 


68 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Then the child grew silent and thoughtful 
again. Mary Louise, watching the changing 
expressions on her face, was convinced she knew 
more of the mystery than she dared confide to 
her new friend. There was no use trying to 
force her confidence, however; in her childish 
way she was both shrewd and stubborn and any 
such attempt would be doomed to failure. But 
after quite a period of silence Mary Louise 
asked gently: 

‘‘ Did you like Mr. Joselyn, Ingual 

‘^Sometimes. Only when — ’’ Another self- 
interruption. She seemed often on the point 
of saying something her better judgment warned 
her not to. “ Sometimes Ned were mighty good 
to me. Sometimes he brought me candy, when 
things was goin’ good with him. Once, Mary 
Louise, he kissed me, an’ never wiped off his 
mouth afterwards! Y-e-s, I liked Ned, ’ceptin’ 
when — ” Another break. I thought Ned was 
a pretty decent gink.” 

“ Wliere did you learn all your slang, dear! ” 

‘‘ What’s slang? ” 

Calling a man a ‘ gink,’ and words like 
that.” 

Oh. Marm was full o’ them words,” she 


AFTERNOON TEA 


69 


replied with an air of pride. “ They seem to 
suit things better than common words; don’t 
you think so, Mary Louise! ” 

Sometimes,” with an indulgent smile. ‘‘ But 
ladies do not use them, Ingua, because they soil 
the purity of our language.” 

‘‘ Well,” said the girl, it’ll be a long time, 
yit, afore I’m a lady, so I guess I’ll talk like 
Marm did. Harm weren’t a real lady, to my 
mind, though she claimed she’d show anybody 
that said she wasn’t. Real ladies don’t leave 
the’r kids in the clutches of 01’ Swallertails. ” 
Mary Louise did not think it wise to criticize 
the unknown Mrs. Scammel or to allow the 
woman’s small daughter to do so. So she changed 
the subject to more pleasant and interesting 
topics and the afternoon wore speedily away. 
Finally Ingua jumped up and said: 

I gotta go. If Gran ’dad don’t find supper 
ready there’ll be another rumpus, an’ I’ve been 
so happy to-day that I want to keep things 
pleasant-like. ’ ’ 

Won’t you take the rest of these cakes with 
you! ” urged Mary Louise. 

Nope. I’ll eat one more, on my way home, 
but I ain’t one o’ them tramps that wants food 


70 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

pushed at ’em in a bundle. We ain’t got much 
to home, but what we got’s ours.” 

A queer sort of mistaken pride, Mary Louise 
reflected, as she watched the girl spring lightly 
over the stepping-stones and run up the opposite 
bank. Evidently Ingua considered old Mr. Gragg 
her natural guardian and would accept nothing 
from others that he failed to provide her with. 
Yet, to judge from her speech, she detested her 
grandfather and regarded him with unspeakable 


aversion. 


CHAPTER VII 


MAKY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 

All the queer hints dropped by the girl that 
afternoon, concerning the relations between Mr. 
Joselyn and Mr. Cragg, were confided by Mary 
Louise to her Gran ’pa Jim that evening, while 
the old Colonel listened with grave interest. 

‘‘I’m sure there is some mystery here,” 
declared Mary Louise, “ and maybe we are going 
to discover some dreadful crime.” 

“ And, on the contrary,” returned Colonel 
Hathaway, “ the two men may have been inter- 
ested together in some business venture that 
resulted disastrously and led Mr. Joselyn to 
run away to escape his wife’s reproaches. I 
consider that a more logical solution of your 
mystery, my dear.” 

“ In that case,” was her quick reply, “ why is 
Mr. Cragg still writing scores of letters and get- 
ting bags full of replies? I don’t believe that 
business deal — whatever it was — is ended, by 
71 


72 ]\IARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

any means. I think that Ned Joselyn and Old 
Swallowtail are still carrying it on, one in hiding 
and the other here — and to be here is to be in 
hiding, also. And it isn’t an honest business. 
Gran ’pa Jim, or they wouldn’t he so secret 
about it.” 

The Colonel regarded his young granddaughter 
with surprise. 

‘‘ You seem quite logical in your reasoning, 
my dear,” he confessed, and, should your con- 
jectures prove correct, these men are using the 
mails for illegal purposes, for which crime the 
law imposes a severe penalty. But consider, 
Mary Louise, is it our duty to trail criminals 
and through our investigations bring them to 
punishment? ” 

Mary Louise took time to consider this ques- 
tion, as she had been advised to do. When she 
replied she had settled the matter firmly in her 
mind. 

‘‘ We are part of the Government, Gran ’pa 
Jim,” she asserted. ‘‘If we believe the Govern- 
ment is being wronged — which means the whole 
people is being wronged — I think we ought to 
uphold the law and bring the wrong-doer to 
justice.” 


MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 73 

‘‘ Allowing that,’’ said her grandfather, let 
us next consider what grounds you have for 
your belief that wrong is being committed. Are 
they not confined to mere suspicions? Sus- 
picions aroused by the chatter of a wild, ungov- 
emed child? Often the amateur detective gets 
into trouble through accusing the innocent. Law- 
abiding citizens should not attempt to uncover 
all the wrongs that exist, or to right them. 
The United States ^Government employs special 
officers for such duties.” 

Mary Louise was a bit nettled, failing to find 
at the moment any argument to refute this 
statement. She was still convinced, however, that 
the mystery was of grave importance and she 
believed it would be intensely exciting to try to 
solve it. Gran ’pa Jim was not acquainted with 
Ingua Scammel and had not listened to the girl’s 
unconscious exposures; so, naturally, he couldn’t 
feel just as Mary Louise did about this matter. 

She tried to read, as her grandfather, consider- 
ing the conversation closed, was now doing. 
They sat together by the lamplight in the cozy 
sitting room. But her thoughts constantly 
reverted to Old Swallowtail ” and to Ingua. 
At length she laid down her book and said : 


74 MAKY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Grandpa, would you mind if I invited Josie 
O ^Gorman to come here and make me a visit? 

He gave her a curious look, which soon melted 
into an amused smile. 

Not at all, my dear. I like Josie. But I 
can see by your desire to introduce a female 
detective on the scene that you cannot abandon 
your suspicion of Mr. Cragg.’* 

‘‘ I want to save Ingua, if I can,’’ replied the 
girl earnestly. “ The poor little thing can’t go 
on leading such a life without its ruining all her 
future, even if her grandfather’s brutal threats 
are mere bluff. And Josie isn’t a female 
detective, as yet; she is only training to be one, 
because her father has won fame in that pro- 
fession.” 

Josie O’Gorman,” said the Colonel, medi- 
tatively, is a wonderfully clever girl. I believe 
she is better, even now, than a score of average 
male sleuths. Perhaps it will be a desirable 
thing for her to come here, for she will be shrewd 
enough to decide, in a short time, whether or not 
your suspicions are justified. In the latter case, 
you will be relieved of your worries. Will you 
abide by Josie’s decision? ” 

Will you. Gran ’pa Jim? ” 


MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 


75 


1 have considerable confidence in the girPs 
judgment. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Then I will write to her at once.” 

She went to her desk and wrote the following 
note: 


Dear Josie; 

We are at the dropping-off-place of the world, a 
stagnant little village of a dozen houses set in an 
oasis that is surrounded by the desert of civilization. 
And here, where life scarcely throbs, IVe scented 
a mystery that has powerfully impressed me and 
surely needs untangling. It will be good practice for 
you, Josie, and so I want you to pack up at once and 
come to us on a good long visit. We’re delightfully 
situated and, even if the mystery dissolves into thin 
air under the sunshine of your eyes, I know you will 
enjoy the change and our dreamy, happy existence in 
the wilds of nowhere. Gran ’pa Jim wants you, too, 
as he thinks your coming will do me good, and his 
judgment is never at fault. So drop me a postal to 
say when you will arrive and I will meet you at Cheur- 
grove Station with our car. 

Affectionately your friend, 

Mary Louise Burrows. 


Grandpa Jim read this note and approved it, 
so next morning Mary Louise walked to the vil- 
lage and deposited it in the postoffice, which 
was located in the front room of Jim Bennett’s 
little residence and was delightfully primitive. 


76 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Jim was ‘‘ jus’ makin’ up the mail bag,” he said, 
so her letter was in time to catch the daily train 
and would be in Washington, where Josie lived, 
in the quickest possible time. 

Josie O’Gorman was about the same age as 
Mary Louise and she was the only child of John 
O’Gorman, famed as one of the cleverest detect- 
ives in the Secret Service. Josie was supposed 
to have inherited some of her father’s talent; 
at least her fond parent imagined so. After 
carefully training the child almost from baby- 
hood, O’Gorman had tested Josie ’s ability on 
just one occasion, when she had amply justified 
her father’s faith in her. This test had thrown 
the girl into association with Mary Louise and 
with Colonel Hathaway, both of whom greatly 
admired her cleverness, her clear head and 
shrewd judgment. Mary Louise, especially, had 
developed a friendship for the embryo girl 
detective and had longed to know her more inti- 
mately. So she congratulated herself on the 
happy thought of inviting Josie to Gragg’s Cross- 
ing and was delighted that the vague mystery 
surrounding the Cragg family offered an ade- 
quate excuse to urge the girl to come to her. 
There seemed nothing in the way of such a visit. 


MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 77 

for Officer O ’Gorman, however pleased he might 
be at his daughter’s success in her first detective 
case, declared Josie yet too young to enter active 
service and insisted that she acquire further age 
and experience before he would allow her to enter 
her chosen profession in earnest. ‘‘ One swal- 
low,” he said, ‘‘ doesn’t make a summer, and 
the next bird you fly might prove a buzzard, my 
dear. Take your time, let your wits mature, and 
you’ll be the better for it in the end.” 

So Mary Louise waited impatiently for Josie ’s 
reply, meantime seeing as much of Ingua as she 
could and trying to cement the growing friend- 
ship between them. Ingua responded eagerly 
to her advances and as old Mr. Gragg was away 
from home the greater part of the day there 
was much crossing of the stepping-stones by both 
girls and more than one afternoon tea ” in the 
pavilion. 

‘‘ Do you know,” said Ingua one day, in confi- 
dential mood, ‘‘ I haven’t had the devils since 
that time I started to run away and you stopped 
me! P’r’aps it’s because I’m not as hungry as 
I used to be; but, anyhow, I’m glad I stayed. 
Gran ’dad’s been good, too, ’though he’s got the 
‘ wakes ’ ag’in.” 


78 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ What are the * wakes ’ ? ” asked Mary 
Louise. 

Can’t sleep nights. Goes t’ bed on time, ye 
know, but gits up ag’in an’ dresses himself an’ 
walks. ’ ’ 

In the house? ” 

‘‘ No, walks out o’ doors. Sometimes he’ll 
come in at jes’ daylight; sometimes not till break- 
fas’ is ready.” 

And doesn’t that make him cross, Ingua? ” 

Not a bit. It seems to chirk him up. Yist’- 
day momin’, when he come in, he was feelin’ so 
chipper he give me a cent, an’ told me to buy 
somethin’ useful. I guess that’s the first cent 
he ever give me. I’ve toolc money o’ his’n, but 
he never give me none afore.” 

Oh, Ingua! I hope you haven’t stolen 
money? ” 

Nope. Jes’ took it. It ain’t easy, ’cause 
he knows ev’ry cent he’s got, an’ it ain’t often 
he leaves it where I kin git it. P’r’aps he knows 
it’s me, but when I lie out of it he can’t do 
noth’n’ but growl — an’ growlin’ don’t hurt 
any.” 

Mary Louise was greatly distressed. This 
reckless disregard of property rights was of 


MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 79 

course the direct result of the child’s environ- 
ment, but must be corrected. Ingua resented 
direct chiding and it was necessary to point out 
to her the wickedness of stealing in the gentlest 
possible manner. 

‘‘ How much money have you taken from your 
grandfather? ” she asked. 

Oh, not much. A nickel, now an’ then. He 
wouldn’t stan’ for losin’ any more, ye see. 
P’r’aps, altogether, I’ve swiped twenty-five cents. 
But once Ned Joselyn give me a dollar, an’ 01’ 
Swallertail knowed it, an’ made me give it to 
him to save for me. That were the last I ever 
saw o’ that dollar, Mary Louise, so I ain’t even 
with Gran ’dad yet.” 

Do you think,” remarked Mary Louise, 
‘‘ there is ever any excuse for stealing? ” 

The girl stared at her, coloring slightly. 

‘‘Do ye mean Gran ’dad, er me? ” 

“ I mean you. He didn’t steal your dollar, 
dear; he merely took it so you wouldn’t spend it 
foolishly.” 

“ An’ I merely took them nickels so’s I could 
spend ’em foolish. There’s no fun in spendin’ 
money, seems to me, unless you squander it reck- 
less. That’s what I done with them nickels. 


80 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Candy an ^ chewin^ gum tastes better when you 
know it^s swiped. 

Mary Louise sighed. It was so hard to show 
little Ingua the error of her ways. 

‘‘ As fer stealin’ — out an^ out stealing* ^ con- 
tinued the girl, with a proud toss of her head, 
‘‘ we Graggs ainT never took noth^n^ that don^t 
belong to us from nobody. What a Cragg takes 
from a Cragg is a Cragg ^s business, an^ when 
we takes someth ^n^ from somebody else ITl ask 
ye to tell me ^bout it.^' 

Where are you going, Ingua? 

‘‘ Home.^^ 

‘‘ You^re not offended, I hope.^’ 

‘‘ No, but I got work to do. I ain’t done my 
breakfas’ dishes yet.” 

Mary Louise musingly watched the girl cross 
the river. On the opposite bank she turned to 
wave her hand and then ran into the cottage. 
Ingua ’s code of honor was a peculiar one. Her 
pride in the Craggs seemed unaccountable, con- 
sidering she and her grandfather were the only 
two of the family in existence — except that 
wandering mother of hers. 

But the recent conversation had uncovered a 
new phase of the mystery. Old Swallowtail was 


MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP 


81 


nervous over something; he could not sleep at 
night, but roamed the roads while others with 
clear consciences slumbered. There must be 
some powerful reason to account for the old 
man’s deserting his bed in this manner. What 
could it be? 

When she walked over to the postoffice the girl 
found the long-looked-for letter from Josie 
0 ’Gorman. It said : 


Dear Mary Louise: 

How good you are! I positively need a change of 
scene and a rest, so I coming. To-morrow — by the 
train to Chargrove. The mystery you hint at will help 
me to rest. Dad doesn’t want me to grow rusty and 
he has some odd theories I’d like to work out. I 
haven’t an idea what your mystery ” is, of course, 
but if it enables me to test any one of the O’Gorman 
theories (a theory is merely a stepping-stone to 
positive information) I shall bless you forever. 
And that reminds me: I’m coming as a sew- 
ing girl, to help you fix over some summer gowns. 
You’re anxious to give me the work, because I need 
it, but as we’re rather chummy I’m half servant and 
half companion. (I hate sewing and make the longest 
stitches you ever saw!) Moreover, I’m Josie Jessup. 
I’m never an O’Gorman while I’m working on a 
mystery; it wouldn’t do at all. Explain this to dear 
old Gran ’pa Jim. 

Between the receipt of this script and to-morrow’s 
train jot down in regular order everything you know 


82 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


concerning the aforesaid mystery. Make it brief; no 
speculations or suspicions, just facts. Then I wonT 
waste any time getting busy. 

Can you hear the rumble of my train ? While you ’re 
reading this I’m on my way! 

Josie 

Good! murmured Mary Louise, as she 
folded the letter. I feel better already. What- 
ever the mystery of Old Swallowtail may be, 
Josie is sure to solve it.” 


CHAPTEE VIII 


THE EED-HEADED GIRL 

Sol Jerrems the storekeeper, coming in from 
the back room where he had been drawing 
molasses for Farmer Higgins, found perched on 
top the sugar-barrel a chunky, red-haired, freckle- 
faced young girl whom he had never seen before. 
She seemed perfectly at home in his store and 
sat with her knees drawn up to her chin and 
her arms encircling her legs, eyeing soberly the 
two or three farmers who had come to the Cross- 
ing to trade.” 

If the head o^ thet bard busts in, you’ll be 
in a fine mess,” remarked Sol. 

The girl nodded but did not move from her 
position. Sol waited on his customers, at times 
eyeing the strange girl curiously. When the 
farmers had gone with their purchases he 
approached the barrel and examined his visitor 
with speculative care. 

Want anything? ” 


83 


84 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Spool 0^ red cotton, number thirty.*’ 

Ain’t got no red.” 

Green’ll do.” 

Ain’t got green. Only black an’ white.” 

All right.” 

Want black or white? ” 

No.” 

Sol leaned against the counter. He wasn’t 
busy; the girl seemed in no hurry; it was a good 
time to gossip and find out all about the strange 
creature perched on his sugar-barrel. 

Where ’d ye come from? ” he inquired. 

City,” tossing her head toward the north. 

What for? ” 

To do sewing for the Hathaways folks. Mary 
Louise, you know.” 

Sol pricked up his ears. The Hathaways were 
newcomers, about whom little was known. He 
wanted to know more, and here was a girt who 
could give him inside information. 

Knowed the Hathaways in the city? ” 

Kind o’. Sewed on Mary Louise’s spring 
dresses. How long you been here? ” 

Me? Why, I come here more’n twenty 
years ago. What does the Colonel do in the 
city? ” 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


85 


‘‘ Never asked him. Why do they call this 
place Cragg^s Crossing? ” 

I didn^t name it. S^pose ^cause oD Cragg 
used to own all the land, an’ the roads crossed 
in the middle o’ his farm.” 

What Cragg was that? ” 

Eh? Why, father to 01’ Swallertail. Ever 
seen 01’ Swallertail? ” 

No.” 

‘‘ Wal, he’s a sight fer sore eyes. First time 
anybody sees him they either laughs er chokes. 
The movin’-pictur’ folks would go crazy over 
him. Ever seen a movin’-pictur’? ” 

Yes.” 

‘‘ I did, too, when I was in the city las’ year. 
01’ Swallertail ’minds me of ’em. Goes ’round 
dressed up like George Washington when he 
crossed the Delaware.” 

Crazy? ” 

That way, yes; other ways, not a bit. Pretty 
foxy gent, is 01’ Swallertail.” 

Why? ” 

Sol hesitated, reflecting. These questions were 
natural, in a stranger, but to explain old Heze- 
kiah Cragg ’s character was not a particularly 
easy task. 


86 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

In the fust place, he drives a hard bargain. 
Don^t spend money, but alius has it. Keeps 
busy, but keeps his business to himself. ’ ’ 

‘‘ What is his business? ’’ 

Didn’t I say he kep’ it to himself? ” 

But he owns all the land around here.” 

‘‘ Not now. He owns jest a half-acre, so far’s 
anybody knows, with a little ol’ hut on it thet 
a respect ’ble pig wouldn’t live in. It’s jes’ acrost 
the river from the place where you’re workin’.” 

‘‘ Then what has become of his land? ” 

It’s stayed jes’ where it alius was, I guess,” 
with a chuckle at his own wit, but 01’ S waller- 
tail sold it, long ago. 01’ Nick Gragg, his father 
afore him, sold a lot of it, they say, and when he 
died he left half his ready money an’ all his land 
to Hezekiah — thet’s 01’ Swallertail — an’ the 
other half o ’ his money to his second son, Peter. ’ ’ 
Where is Peter? ” asked the girl quickly. 

‘‘ Went back to Ireland, years ago, and never ’s 
be’n heard of since. The Graggs was Irish afore 
they got to be Americans, but it seems Pete 
hankered fer th’ 01’ Sod an’ quit this country 
cold.” 

‘‘ So the Graggs are Irish, eh? ” mused the 
girl in a casual tone. And then she yawned, as 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


87 


if not greatly interested. But Sol was interested, 
so long as he was encouraged to talk. 

“I be’n told, by some o^ the oV settlers, he 
went on, “ thet oP Nick Cragg were born in 
Ireland, was a policeman in New York — where 
he made his first money — an^ then come here an’ 
bought land an’ settled down. They ain’t much 
dift’rence ’tween a policeman an’ a farmer, I 
guess. If the story’s true, it proves OP Swaller- 
tail has Irish blood in him yit, though fer that 
matter he’s lived here long enough to be jes’ 
American, like the rest of us. After he come 
inter the property he gradual-like sold off all the 
land, piece by piece, till he ain’t got noth’n left 
but thet half-acre. Sold most of it afore I come 
here, an’ I be’n at the Crossing more’n twenty 
year. ’ ’ 

If the land brought a fair price. Old 
Swallowtail ought to be rich,” remarked the girl. 

“ Then he ain’t what he orter be. Folks says 
he specilated, years ago, an’ got stung. I know 
him pretty well — as well as anybody knows him 
— an’ my opinion is he ain’t got more’n enough 
to bury him decent.” 

Thoiji^ht you said he drives a hard 
bargain? ” 


88 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

‘‘ Young woman/ ^ said Sol earnestly, the 
man don’t live as kin make money specilatin’. 
The game’s ag’in him, fust an’ last, an’ the more 
brains he’s got the harder he’ll git stung.” 

But I thought you said Mr. Cragg has a 
business.” 

An’ I said nobody knows what it is. When 
Ned Joselyn used to come here the two was 
thick, an’ Ned were a specilater through an’ 
through. Some thinks it was him as got Cragg ’s 
wad, an’ some says he lost it all, an’ his wife’s 
money, too. Anyhow, Joselyn lit out fer good an’ 
when he were gone Ann Kenton cried like a 
baby an’ ol’ Swallertail’s been dumb as a clam 
ever since.” 

What makes you think Cragg has a busi- 
ness? ” persisted the girl. 

He keeps an office, over the store here, an’ 
he has a sign on the door thet says ‘ Real Estate. ’ 
But he ain’t got no real estate, so that ain’t why 
he shuts himself in the office day after day — an ’ 
even Sundays. He’s got some other business. 
Ev’ry night, afore he goes home, he takes a 
bunch o’ letters to Mrs. Bennett’s postoffice, an’ 
ev’ry momin’ he goes there an’ gits another 
bunch o’ letters that’s come to him in the mail. 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


89 


If that don’t mean some sort o’ business, I don’t 
know what’n thunder it does mean.” 

‘‘ Nor I,” said the girl, yawning again. 
‘‘ What about Ned Joselyn? Was he nice! ” 

“ Dressed like a dandy, looked like a fool, 
acted like the Emp’ror o’ Rooshy an’ pleased 
ev’rybody by runnin’ away. That is, ev’rybody 
but his wife an’ 01’ Swallertail. ” 

‘‘ 1 see. Who else lives over your store! ” 

“ I live there myself; me an’ my fambly, in 
the back part. One o’ the front rooms I rents 
to 01’ Swallertail, an’ he pays the rent reg’lar. 
The other front room Miss Huckins, the dress- 
maker, lives in.” 

Oh. I’m a dressmaker, too. Guess I’ll go up 
and see her. Is she in? ” 

“ WTien she’s out, she leaves the key with me, 
an’ the key ain’t here. Say, girl, what’s yer 
name? 

Josie.” 

Josie what? ” 

Jessup. Pa was a drayman. Ever hear of 
him? ” 

No. But about the Hathaways; what 
has — ’ ’ 

“ And you’ve got no red thread? Or green? ” 


90 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Only black an’ white. Does the Colonel — ” 
Can’t use black or white,” said the girl, 
deliberately getting off the barrel. Guess I’ll 
go up and ask Miss Huckins if she has any red.” 

Out she walked, and old Sol rubbed his 
wrinkled forehead with a bewildered look and 
muttered : 

Drat the gal! She’s pumped me dry an’ 
didn’t tell me a word about them Hathaway folks. 
She worse ’n ol’ Eben, the nigger help. Seems 
like nobody wants t’ talk about the Hathaways, 
an’ that means there’s somethin’ queer about 
’em. But this red-headed sewin’-girl is a perfec’ 
innercent an’ I’ll git her talkin’ yet, if she stays 
here long.” 

Meantime Josie mounted the stairs, which 
were boarded in at one end of the building, being 
built on the outside to economize space, and 
entered the narrow upper hallway. A chatter of 
children’s voices in the rear proclaimed that 
portion to be the quarters of the Jerrems family. 
Toward the front was a door on which, in dim 
letters, was the legend: H. Cragg. Real 

Estate.” 

Here the girl paused to listen. No sound came 
from the interior of H. Cragg’s apartment. 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


91 


Farther along she found a similar door on which 
was a card reading: Miss Huckins, Dress- 

maker and Milliner. ’ ^ Listening again, she heard 
the sound of a flatiron thumping an ironing 
board. 

She knocked, and the door was opened by a 
little middle-aged woman who held a hot flatiron 
in one hand. She was thin ; she was bright-eyed ; 
her hair was elaborately dressed with little 
ringlets across the forehead and around the ears, 
so Josie at once decided it was a wig. 

Seeing a stranger before her, Miss Huckins 
looked her over carefully from head to foot, 
while Josie smiled a vacuous, inconsequent smile 
and said in a perfunctory way: 

Good morning.’^ 

‘‘ Come in,^^ returned Miss Huckins, with 
affable civility. I don^t think I know you.’’ 

‘‘I’m Josie Jessup, from the city. I’m in your 
line. Miss Huckins — in a way, that is. I’ve come 
here to do some sewing for Mary Louise Burrows, 
who is the granddaughter of Colonel Hathaway, 
who has rented the Kenton Place. Nice weather, 
isn’t it? ” 

Miss Huckins was not enthusiastic. Her face 
fell. She had encouraged sundry hopes that the 


92 


IMARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


rich little girl would employ her to do whatever 
sewing she might need. So she resumed the 
pressing of a new dress that was spread over 
her ironing-board and said rather shortly: 

“ Anything I can do for you? ’’ 

‘‘ I want to use some red thread and the store- 
keeper doesn’t keep it in stock. Queer old man, 
that storekeeper, isn’t he? ” 

‘‘ I don’t call him queer. He’s honest as the 
day is long and makes a good landlord. Countiy 
stores don’t usually keep red thread, for it is 
seldom used.” 

‘‘ He has been talking to me about old Mr. 
Cragg, who has an office next door to you. I’m 
sure you’ll admit that Mr. Cragg is queer, if the 
storekeeper isn’t.’^ 

** A man like Mr. Cragg has the right to be 
queer,” snapped the dressmaker, who did not 
relish this criticism of the natives by a perfect 
stranger. ‘‘He is veiy quiet and respectable 
and makes a very satisfactory neighbor.” 

Josie, seated in a straight, wood-bottomed 
chair, seemed not at all chagrined by her recep- 
tion. She watched the pressing for a time 
silently. 

“ That’s a mighty pretty gown,” she presently 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


93 


remarked, in a tone of admiration. I don’t 
suppose I shall ever be able to make anything 
as nice as that. I — I’m not good at planning, 
you know,” with modest self-deprecation. “ I 
only do plain sewing and mending.” 

The stem features of Miss Huckins relaxed a 
bit. She glanced at the girl, then at her work, 
and said more pleasantly than she had before 
spoken : 

This dress is for Mary Donovan, who lives 
two miles north of here. She’s to be married 
next Saturday — if they get the haying over with 
by that time — and this is part of her trousseau. 
I ’ve made her two other dresses and trimmed two 
hats for her — a straw shape and a felt Gains- 
boro. The Donovans are pretty well-to-do.” 

Josie nodded with appreciation. 

‘‘It’s nice she can get such elegant things so 
near home, isn’t it? Why, she couldn’t do as well 
in the city — not half as well! ” 

Miss Huckins held up the gown and gazed at 
it with unmistakable pride. 

“ It’s the best Henrietta,” said she, “ and I’m 
to get six dollars for the making. I wanted 
seven, at first, and Mary only wanted to pay 
five, so we split the difference. With all the other 


94 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

things, I didn’t do so badly on this trousseau.” 

You’re in luck,” declared Josie, “ and so is 
Mary Donovan. Doesn’t Mr. Cragg do any 
business except real estate ” 

I think he must,” replied the dressmaker, 
hanging up the gown and then seating herself 
opposite her visitor. All the real estate busi- 
ness he’s done in the last two years was to rent 
the Kenton Place to Colonel Hathaway and make 
a sale of Higgins^ cow pasture to Sam Marvin. 
But he’s so quiet, all day, in the next room, that 
I can’t figure out what he’s up to. No one goes 
near him, so I can’t overhear any talk. One time, 
of course, Mr. Joselyn used to go there, and then 
they always whispered, as if they were up to 
some deviltry. But after the quarrel Joselyn 
never came here again.” 

Oh, did they quarrel? ” asked Josie, with 
languid interest. She knew her praise of the 
dress had won the dressmaker’s heart and also 
she was delighted to find Miss Huckins a more 
confirmed and eager gossip than even Sol 
Jerrems. 

‘‘ I should say they did quarrel! ” was the 
emphatic reply, although she sank her voice to a 
Whisper and glanced wamingly at the thin parti- 



THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


95 


tion. At one time I thouglit there be murder 
done, for Joselyn yelled: ‘ Take that away — 
take it away! " and Old Swallowtail — that’s the 
name we call Mr. Gragg, you know — roared out : 
‘ You deserve to die for this cowardly act.’ Well, 
you’d better believe my hair stood on end for a 
minute,” Josie smiled as she thought of the wig 
standing on end, but nothing happened. There 
was deep silence. Then the door opened and 
Mr. Joselyn walked out. I never interfere with 
other people ’s business, but attend strictly to my 
own, yet that day I was so flustered that I 
peeked through a crack of my door at Mr. J oselyn 
and he seemed cool as a cucumber. Then Mr, 
Gragg slammed the door of his room — which is 
a very unusual thing for him to do — and that 
was all.” 

When did this happen? ” asked Josie. 

Last fall, just before Mrs. Joselyn and her 
husband went back to their city home. Some 
time in the winter Mr. Joselyn ran away from 
her, they say, but I guess old Gragg had nothing 
to do with that. Around here, Joselyn wasn’t 
liked. He put on too many airs of superiority to 
please the country folks. Sol Jerrems thinks he 
made away with Mr. Gragg’s money, in unwise 


96 


MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


speculations, but I don’t believe Cragg had any 
money to lose. He seems as poor as I am.” 

What do you suppose drew those two men 
together, Miss Huckins? ” inquired the girl. 

I can’t say. IVe tried to figure it out, but 
the truth is that old Cragg don’t confide in any- 
one — not even in me, and we’re close neighbors. 
You couldn’t find two men in all America more 
different than Joselyn and Cragg, and yet they 
had dealings of some sort together and were 
friendly, for a time.” 

Josie sighed regretfully. 

^ ^ I like to hear about these mysterious things, ’ ’ 
said she. ‘‘It’s almost as good as reading a 
story. Only, in this case, we will never know how 
the story ends.” 

“ Well, perhaps not,” admitted the dress- 
maker. “ Joselyn is gone and no one’ll ever get 
the truth out of Cragg. But — I’d like to know, 
myself, not only how the story ends but what it 
was all about. Just now all we know is that 
there was a story, of some sort or other, and 
perhaps is yet.” 

A period of silence, while both mused. 

“ I don’t suppose you could find a bit of red 
thread? ” said Josie. 


THE RED-HEADED GIRL 


97 


“ No, I haven’t used it for ages. Is it to mend 
with? ” 

Yes.” 

If it’s a red dress, use black thread. It 
won’t show, if you’re careful; and it won’t fade 
away and leave a white streak, like red sometimes 
does.” 

‘‘ Thank you, Miss Huckins.” She rose to go. 
“I’d like to drop in again, sometime, for a little 
visit.” 

“ Come as often as you like,” was the cordial 
reply. 

“ Cragg’s Crossing people are rather interest- 
ing; they’re so different from city folks,” said 
Josie. 

“ Yes, they really are, and I know most of 
them pretty well. Come in again, Josie.” 

“ Thank you; I will.” 


CHAPTER IX 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 

“ Well, what luck? asked Mary Louise, as 
she came into Josie’s room while her friend was 
dressing for dinner. 

‘‘Not much,’^ was the reply. “I’m not at all 
sure, Mary Louise, that this chase will amount 
to anything. But it will afford me practice in 
judging human nature, if nothing else comes of 
it, so I’m not at all sorry you put me on the 
trail. When are we to see Ingua again? 

“ To-morrow afternoon. She’s coming to tea 
in the pavilion.” 

“ That’s good. Let me see all of her you can. 
She’s an original, that child, and I’m going to 
like her. Our natures are a good deal alike. ’ ’ 

“ Oh, Josie! ” 

“ That’s a fact. We’re both proud, resentful, 
reckless and affectionate. We hate our enemies 
and love our friends. We’re rebellious, at times, 
and not afraid to defy the world.” 

98 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 


99 


“ I^m sure you are not like that, dear,^’ pro- 
tested Mary Louise. 

I am. Ingua and I are both children of 
nature. The only difference is that I am older 
and have been taught diplomacy and self-control, 
which she still lacks. I mask my feelings, while 
Ingua frankly displays hers. That’s why I am 
attracted to her.” 

X Mary Louise did not know how to combat this 
mood. She remained silent until Josie was 
dressed and the two went down to dinner. Their 
visitor was no longer the type of a half ignorant, 
half shrewd sewing-girl, such as she had appeared 
to be while in the village. Her auburn hair was 
now tastefully arranged and her attire modest 
and neat. She talked entertainingly during din- 
ner, enlivening her companions thereby, and 
afterward played a game of dominoes with the 
Colonel in the living-room, permitting him to 
beat her at this, his favorite diversion. 

Both the old gentleman and his granddaughter 
enjoyed their evenings with Josie O’Gorman, for 
she proved delightful company. In the mornings, 
however, she would don her cheap gingham, 
rumple her hair, and pose throughout the day as 
Josie Jessup the sewing-girl. 


100 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Ingua, at first shy of the visitor, soon developed 
a strong liking for Josie and would talk with 
her more freely than with Mary Louise. Josie 
would skip across the stepping-stones and help 
Ingua wash the breakfast dishes and sweep the 
bare little rooms of the cottage and then together 
they would feed the chickens, gather the eggs and 
attend to such daily tasks as Ingua was obliged 
to fulfill. With Josie ’s help this was soon accom- 
plished and then the child was free for the day 
and could run across to join Mary Louise, while 
Josie sallied to the village to interview the 
natives. 

When the girl detective had been at Gragg’s 
Crossing for a week she was a familiar figure 
to the villagers — every one of whom was an 
acquaintance — and had gleaned all the informa- 
tion it was possible to secure from them, which 
was small in amount and unsatisfactory in 
quality. Two or three times she had passed Old 
Swallowtail on the street, but he had not seemed 
to notice her. Always the old man stared straight 
ahead, walking stiffly and with a certain repellent 
dignity that forbade his neighbors to address 
him. He seemed to see no one. He lived in 
a world known only to himself and neither 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 101 

demanded nor desired association with his 
fellows. 

** An eccentric; bigoted, sullen and conceited, 
reflected Josie, in considering his character. 

Capable of any cruelty or crime, but too cau- 
tious to render himself liable to legal punishment. 
The chances are that such a man would never do 
any great wrong, from cowardly motives. He 
might starve and threaten a child, indeed, but 
would refrain from injuring one able to resent 
the act. Nevertheless, he quarreled with 
Joselyn — and Joselyn disappeared. There was 
some reason for that quarrel; some reason for 
that disappearance; some reason why a man 
like Edward Joselyn made Old Swallowtail his 
confidential friend. A business connection, per- 
haps. Before daring a conjecture I must dis- 
cover what business Cragg is engaged in.^’ 

She soon discovered that Ingua was as ignorant 
of her grandfather ^s business life as were all 
others. One day, as the two girls were crossing 
the stepping-stones to reach the pavilion, after 
‘‘ doing ’’ the morning housework, Josie 
remarked : 

In winter one could cross here on the ice.^’ 
** Oh, no,’^ replied Ingua, ‘‘ the water don’t 


102 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


freeze. It runs too fast. But sometimes it gits 
over tlie top o’ the stones, an’ then you has 
to step keerful to keep from failin’ in.” 

‘‘ Did you ever try to cross at such a time? ” 

Once I did, an’ I was skeered, you kin bet. 
But I says to myself : ‘ If 01’ Swallertail kin make 
the crossin’, I kin — dark or no dark — an’ by 
cracky I tackled it brave as a lion.” 

You tried to cross in the dark, on a winter’s 
night! What for, Ingua! ” 

Ingua, walking beside her up the bank, paused 
with a startled expression and grew red. Her 
eyes, narrowed and shrewd, fixed themselves 
suspiciously on Josie’s face. But the other 
returned the look with a bland smile that surely 
ought to disarm one more sophisticated than this 
simple child. 

I mustn’t talk ’bout that,” said Ingua in a 
low voice. Jes’ fergit as I said it, Josie.” 
‘^Why!” 

Do ye want me choked, or killed? ” 

‘‘ Who would do that? ” 

‘‘ Gran ’dad would, if I blabbed.” 

“ Shucks! ” 

Ye don’t know Gran ’dad — not when he’s 
got the temper on him. If ye’d seen what 1 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 


103 


seen, ye’d know that he’d keep his word — to 
kill me if I talk too much.” 

Josie sat down on top the bank. 

“ What did you see, Ingua? ” 

‘‘ Ye’ll hev to guess it.” 

“ It looks that way,” said Josie calmly; but 
you needn’t be afraid of we, Ingua. You and 
I could know a lot of things, together, and keep 
’em to ourselves. Don’t you think I’m a good 
enough friend not to get you choked or killed by 
telling any secrets you confided to me? And — 
look here, Ingua — ^^this secret is worrying you 
a good deal.” 

“ Who says so? ” 

‘‘I do. You’d feel a heap better if you told 
me about it, for then we could talk it over 
together when we’re alone.” 

Ingua sat down beside her, gazing thought- 
fully at the river. 

You’d tell Mary Louise.” 

“You know better than that. A secret’s a 
secret, isn’t it? I guess I can keep my mouth 
shut when I want to, Ingua.” 

Josie had a way of imitating Ingua ’s mode of 
speech when they were together. It rendered 
their intercourse more free and friendly. But 


104 MAEY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


the girl did not reply at once. She sat dreamily 
reflecting upon the proposition and its possible 
consequences. Finally she said in a hesitating 
way: 

“ I wisht I knew what ter do. I sometimes 
think I orter tell somebody that knows moreen 
I do, Josie, if I ever blah at all.’’ 

Try me, Ingua. I’m pretty smart, ’cause 
I’ve seen more of the big world than you have, 
and know what goes on in the big, busy cities, 
where life is different from what it is in this 
little place. I’ve lived in more than one city, 
too, and that means a lot of experience for a 
girl of my age. I’m sure I could help you, dear. 
Perhaps, when I’ve heard your story, I will tell 
you never to say anything about it to anyone 
else; and then, on the other hand, I might think 
differently. Anyhow, I’d never tell, myself, any 
secret of yours, whatever I might think, because 
I’d cut off my right hand rather than get you into 
trouble. ’ ’ 

This dramatic speech was intended to appeal 
to the child’s imagination and win her full con- 
fidence. In a way, it succeeded. Ingua sidled 
closer to Josie and finally said in a trembling 
whisper : 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 


105 


“Ye wouldn’t git Gran ’dad inter trouble either, 
would ye? ” 

“ Do you like him, Ingua? ” 

“I hate him! But he’s a Gragg, an’ I’m a 
Gragg, an’ the Graggs kin stand up an’ spit 
at the world, if they wants to. ’ ’ 

“ That’s right,” agreed Josie, emphatically. 
“ We’ve got to stick up for our own families 
and fight for our good name when it’s necessary. 
Do you think I’d let anybody get the best of a 
Jessup? Never in a thousand years! ” 

Ingua nodded her head as if pleased. 

“ That’s the way I look at it, Josie. Ev’ry- 
body’s down on 01’ Swallertail, an’ I’m down on 
him myself, fer that matter; but I’ll dare any- 
body to say anything ag’in him when I’m aroun’. 
An’ yet, Josie — an’ yet — I ain’t sure but 
he’s — but he’s a murderer I ” 

She had dropped her voice until she scarcely 
breathed the last words and her little body 
trembled through and through with tense nerv- 
ousness. Josie took her hand. 

“ Never mind, dear,” she said gently. “ Per- 
haps he didn’t kill Ned Joselyn, after all.” 

Ingua sprang up with a hoarse scream and 
glared at Josie in absolute terror. 


106 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


How’d ye know? How’d ye know it were 
Ned Joselyn? slie demanded, trembling more 
and more. 

Josie’s reply was a smile. Josie’s smile was 
essentially winning and sweet. It was reassur- 
ing, trustful, friendly. 

‘‘ This isnT a very big place, Ingua,’^ she 
quietly remarked. I can count the people of 
Gragg’s Crossing on my fingers and toes, and 
the only one who has ever disappeared is Ned 
Joselyn. Why, you’ve told me so yourself. Your 
grandfather and Joselyn were friends. Then 
they quarreled. Afterward Joselyn disap- 
peared.” 

“ Who said they quarreled? ” 

Miss Huckins told me. It was in the office, 
next door to where she lives and works.” 

‘‘ Oh,” with a sigh of relief. “ But Ned Jos- 
elyn run away. Ev’rybody knows that.” 

‘‘ Everybody but you, dear. Sit down. WTiy 
do you get so nervous? Really, Ingua, after 
you’ve told me the whole story you’ll feel better. 
It’s too big a secret for one small body to hold, 
isn’t it? And just between ourselves we will 
talk it all over — many times — and then it won’t 
seem so dreadful to you. And, after all, you’re 


JOSIE INVESTIGATES 


107 


not positive your grandfather killed Ned Joselyn. 
Perhaps he didn’t. But you’re afraid he did, 
and that keeps you unstrung and unhappy. Who 
knows but I may be able to help you discover the 
truth? Sit down, Ingua, and let’s talk it all 


over. 


CHAPTEE X 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAIi 

Ingua slowly resumed her seat on the bank 
beside her friend. It was hard to resist Josie’s 
appeals. 

The whole thing looks pretty black ag’in 
Granddad/’ she said. I s’pose ye canT under- 
stand what I mean till I tell ye the whole story, 
from the beginning, ’cause ye didn’t live here 
at the time. If ye lived here,” she added, ‘‘ I 
wouldn’t tell ye anything, but by-’n’-by yer goin’ 
away. An’ ye’ve promised to keep yer mouth 
shut. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Unless you give me permission to speak. ’ ’ 

‘‘ I ain’t likely to do that. I’m tollin’ ye this, 
Josie, so’s we kin talk it over, at times. It has 
got hold o’ my mind, somethin’ terrible. Once 
I was goin’ to tell Mary Louise, but — she 
couldn’t understand it like you kin. She’s — dif- 
f ’rent. And if Gran ’dad ever hears that I blabbed 
I’m as good as dead, an’ I know it! ” 

108 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL 


109 


He won^t hear it from me,’’ promised Josie. 

Well, Gran ’dad was alius sly. I ’member 
Marm tellin’ him to his face he were cold as 
ice an’ sly as sin. Marm had a way o’ sayin’ 
what she thought o’ him, an’ he’d jes’ look at 
her steady an’ say nuth’n back. She was alius 
tryin’ to git money out o’ him, Marm was, an’ 
when he said he didn’t hev no money she tol’ 
him she knew he did. She ransacked the whole 
house — an’ even tore up the floor-boards — 
tryin’ to find where he’d hid it. Her idee was 
that if he’d sold his land for a lot o’ money, an’ 
hadn’t spent a cent, he must hev it yit. But I 
guess Marm didn’t find no money, an’ so she lit 
out. The day she lit out she said to him that 
he was too slick for her, but she could take care 
o ’ herself. All she wanted was for him to 
take care o’ me. Gran ’dad said he would; an’ 
so he did. He didn’t take any too much care o’ 
me, an’ I’d ruther he wouldn’t. If I had more 
to eat, I wouldn’t kick, but since Mary Louise 
come here an’ invited me to tea so often I hain’t 
be’n hungry a bit.” 

Mary Louise likes company,” said Josie. 

Go on, dear.” 

Well, after Ann Kenton got married, her 


110 IVIARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


new Lusban^ come here, which was Ned Joselyn. 
I never took a fancy to Ann. She wasn^t ’spe- 
cially uppish, but she wasn’t noth’n else, either. 
Ned made me laugh when I first seen him. He 
had one spectacle in one eye, with a string to 
ketch it if it fell off. He had striped clothes an’ 
shiny shoes an’ he walked as keerful as if he 
was afraid the groun’ would git the bottoms o’ 
them nice shoes dirty. He used to set in that 
summer-house an’ smoke cigarettes an’ read 
books. One day he noticed 01’ Swallertail, an’ 
looked so hard at him that his one-eyed spec- 
tacle fell off a dozen times. 

That night he sent a letter to Gran ’dad an’ 
Gran ’dad read it an’ tore it up an’ told the man 
that brung it there was no answer. That’s all 
I knew till one night they come walkin’ home 
together, chummy as a team o ’ mules. When they 
come to the bridge they shook hands an’ 01’ 
Swallertail come to the house with a grin on his 
face — the first an’ last grin I ever seen him 
have. ’ ’ 

Doesn’t he ever laugh! ” asked Josie. 

If he does, he laughs when no one is lookin’. 
But after that day I seen Ned Joselyn with 
Gran ’dad a good deal. Sometimes he’d come to 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL 


111 


our house an^ wait fer OP Swallertail to come 
home, an^ they^d send me away an’ tell me not 
to come back till I was called. That made me 
mighty curious to see what they was up to, so 
one day I crep’ up behind the house an’ peeked 
in the winder. They wasn’t in the kitchen, so I 
went aroun’ an’ peeked through the winder o’ 
Gran ’dad’s room, an’ there they both sot, an’ 
Gran ’dad was countin’ out money on the table. 
It must ’a’ be’n gold money, ’cause it was yaller 
an’ bigger ner cents er nickels. Ned put it all 
in his pocket, an’ writ somethin’ on a paper that 
Gran ’dad put inter his big pocketbook. Then 
they both got up an’ I made a run fer it an’ hid 
behind the bam.” 

‘‘ When did that happen? ” asked Josie. 

The first summer Ann was married. That 
was three summers ago, countin’ this one. I 
was only a kid, then,” said Ingua, as if realizing 
she was now two years older. 

“ And after that? ” said Josie. 

Las’ summer it was jes’ the same. The two 
was thicker ’n gumdrops, only Ned didn’t go to 
the office no more. He alius came to our house 
instid. One day, when he was waitin’ fer OP 
Swallertail, he says to me: ‘Ingua, how ’d ye 


112 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


like to be rollin^ in money, an’ Jive in a big 
city, an’ bev yer own automobile to ride in, an’ 
dress like a queen? ’ 

‘ I’d like it,’ says L 

‘ Well,’ says he, ‘ it’s boun’ to happen, if 01’ 
Swallertail sticks to me an’ does what I say. 
He’s got the capital,’ says Ned, ‘an’ I got the 
brains; an’ atween the two of us, Ingua,’ says 
Ned, ‘ we’ll corral half the money there is in 
America. ’ 

“ ‘ Will he stick? ’ says I. 

‘‘ ‘ I dunno,’ says Ned. ‘ He’s got queer ideas 
’bout duty an’ honesty that ain’t pop’lar these 
days in business. But I’m gitt’n so now thet 
I kin lead him by the nose, an’ I’ll force him to 
waller in money afore I’ve done with him.’ 

“ ‘I don’t see how that’ll make me rollin’ in 
money, anyhow,’ I told him. 

“ ‘ The ol’ man’ll die, pretty soon,’ says Ned, 
‘ an’ then you’ll git the money I make for him. 
By the time yer growed up, if not afore,’ says 
he, ‘ you may be the riches’ girl in the world. 
It all depends on how I kin bend that ol’ stick 
of a gran ’dad o’ yourn.’ 

‘‘ That was the day he gimme the dollar, an’ 
Gran ’dad come in in time to see it, an’ took it 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL 


113 


away from me. It didn’t set me up any, that 
talk o’ Ned’s, ’cause I didn’t believe in them 
brains he bragged on, or his bein’ able to lead 
01’ Swallertail by the nose. Gran ’dad begun 
gittin’ kind o’ harsh with Ned, afore the summer 
was over, which showed he wasn’t bendin’ much, 
and at the last — just afore Ned went away — 
the big quarrel come oif. It wasn’t the quarrel 
Miss Huckins knows about, but it happened right 
here. They’d sent me away from the house, like 
they always did, and I were layin’ in the clover 
in the back yard, when there was a crash an’ a 
yell. I jumped up an’ run to the door, an’ the 
table was tipped over an’ a lot o’ papers an’ 
money scattered on the floor, an’ behind the 
table stood 01’ Swallertail, white an’ still, an’ 
Ned point ’n’ a gun at him.” 

What sort of a gun? ” questioned Josie. 

One o’ them hip-pocket sort. Same as Jim 
Bennett the mailman carries. Only Jim’s ain’t 
never loaded, ’cause he’s afraid of it. I ain’t 
sure Ned’s was loaded, either, for when he seen 
me in the doorway he jes’ slipped it in his 
pocket. 

<< < Very well,’ says Gran ’dad, * I knows now 
what sort o’ a man you are, Ned Joselyn.’ An’ 


114 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Ned lie answers back: ‘ An’ I know what sort o’ 
a man you are, ol’ Cragg. Yer a bypercrit 
throngb an’ through; ye preach squareness while 
yer as crooked as a snake, an’ as p’isonous an’ 
deadly, an’ ye’d ruin yer bes’ friend jes’ to git 
a copper cent the best o’ him.’ 

Gran ’dad leaned over an’ set the table on its 
legs ag’in. An’ then he says slow an’ cold: ‘ But 
I hain’t oifered to murder you; not yet, Ned 
Joselyn! ’ 

Ned looked at him an’ kinder shivered. An’ 
Gran ’dad said: ^ Pick up them papers an’ things, 
Ingua. ’ 

‘‘ So I picked ’em up an’ put ’em on the table 
an’ they sent me away ag’in. I laid in the clover 
a whole hour, feelin’ pretty nervous an’ rocky, 
fer I didn’t know what was goin’ to happen. 
Noth’n’ did happen, though, ’cept that Ned 
crossed the river on the steppin ’-stones an’ half- 
way over he turned an’ laughed an’ waved his 
hand at Gran ’dad, who stood in the door an’ 
watched him go. But Gran ’dad didn’t laugh. 
He says to me w^hen I come in: 

^ Ingua, if ever I’m found dead, you go to 
Dud Berkey, the constable, an’ tell him to arrest 
Ned Joselyn for murder. D’ye understan’? ’ 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL 


115 


^ I sure do,’ says I. ‘ Guess he’d ’a^ shot 
ye, Gran ’dad, if I hadn’t come in just when I 
did.’ 

‘ An’ see here,’ he went on, ‘ unless I’m foun’ 
dead, you keep mum ’bout what ye seen to-day. 
If ye blab a word to anyone, ye’ll git me in 
trouble, an’ I’ll crush ye as willin’ as I’d swat 
a fly. Me an’ Ned is friends ag’in,’ says he, ^ but 
I don’t trust him.’ 

‘ Does he trust you? ’ I asked him; an’ at 
first he jus’ looked at me an’ scowled; but after 
a minute he answered: ^ I don’t know how wise 
the man is. P’r’aps he isn’t a fool; but even 
wise men is foolish sometimes.’ 

Well, Josie, that was all, just then. Ned 
went with his wife Ann to the city, nex’ day, an’ 
things here went on as usual. Only, Gran ’dad 
begun to git wakeful nights, an’ couldn’t sleep. 
He’d git up an’ dress an’ go outdoors an’ walk 
aroun’ till momin’. He didn’t say noth’n’ to me 
about it, but I watched him, an’ one mornin’ when 
he come in I says : ^ Why don’t ye git some medi- 
cine o’ Doc Jenkins to make ye sleep? ’ Then 
he busts out an’ grabs me by the throat an’ near 
choked the life out o’ me. 

^ Ye spy — ye dirty little spy!’ says he. 


IIG MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

‘ ye keep yer eyes shut an’ yer mouth shut, or 
I’ll skin ye alive! ’ says he. 

The way he looked at me, I was skeered 
stiff, an’ I never said noth’n’ more ’bout his 
sleepin’ nights. I guess what made him mad 
was my sayin’ he orter hev a doctor, ’cause doc- 
tors cost money an’ Gran ’dad’s so poor he hates 
t’ spend money unnecessary.” 

Did he ever again try to choke you I ” 

He tried once more, hut I was too spry for 
him. It was a winter night, when it was cold 
in his room an’ he come inter the kitchen, where 
there was a fire, to write. I sot behind the stove, 
tryin’ to keep warm, an’ after a time I seen him 
look up an’ glare at the bare wall a long time. 
By-’n’-hy he says in a low voice: * Fer the 
Cause! ’ an’ starts writin’ ag’in. ‘ What cause 
are ye talkin’ about. Gran ’dad? ’ says I. 

I guess he’d f ergot I was there, but now he 
gives a yell an’ jumps up an’ comes for me with 
his fingers twistin’ and workin’ like I’d seen ’em 
afore. I didn’t wait fer him to git near me, 
you kin bet; I made a dive out the back door an’ 
stood aroun’ in the cold tryin’ to keep warm 
while I give him time to cool off where the fire 
was. When he was writin’ ag’in I sneaked in 


INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL 


117 


an’ he didn’t notice me. When Marm was here 
she used to josh him about the ‘ Cause,’ an’ once 
I heard her tell him she guessed the Cause was 
hoardin’ his money so’s to starve his family. 
Marm wasn’t afraid of him, but I am, so I never 
whisper the word ‘ Cause’ while he’s around.” 

Josie sat in silent reflection for a time. Then 
she asked softly: 

Does he still walk at night, Ingua? ” 

Sometimes. Not so much as he once did, 
though. He seems to take streaks o’ bein’ wake- 
ful,” explained the girl. 

Have you ever seen him come out, or go 
in? ” 

Lots o’ times. When it’s moonlight I kin see 
him through my window, an’ he can’t see me 
’cause my room is dark.” 

And does he carry anything with him? ” 

Not a thing. He jes’ goes out like he does 
daytimes, an’ comes back the same way.” 

Josie nodded her tousled red head, as if the 
answers pleased her. 

‘‘ He’s a very clever man, your grandfather,” 
she remarked. He can fool not only his neigh- 
bors, but his own family. But you’ve more to 
tell me, Ingua.” 


118 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ How d’ye know, Josie? ” 

‘‘ Because all this is just the beginning. It is 
something else that has been worrying you, 
dear. ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XI 


THE FATE OF NED JOSELYN 

The child stared dreamily at the rushing water 
for several minutes. Then she looked earnestly 
into Josie’s face. Finally, with a sigh, she 
said : 

I may as well go on an^ finish it, I s’pose.^’ 

“ To be sure,’’ said Josie. You haven’t 
told me anything very important yet.” 

‘‘ The important part’s cornin’,” asserted 
Ingua, her tone gradually assuming its former 
animation. ‘ ^ ’Twas last winter on the Thursday 
between Christmas an’ New Year’s. It was cold 
an’ snowin’ hard, an’ it gits dark early them 
days. Gran ’dad an’ me was eat’n’ supper by 
lamplight when there come a knock at the door. 
I jumped up an’ opened it an’ there stood Ned 
Joselyn, in a big heavy coat that was loaded 
with snow, an’ kid gloves on, an’ his one-eyed 
spectacle on his face. He come in an’ stood while 
I shut the door, an’ Gran ’dad glared at him like 

119 


120 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


lie does when the devils gits him, and said: 
‘ What — more? ’ 

^ Sure thing,’ says Ned. ^ Noth’n’ lasts for- 
ever. ’ 

^ That’s true,’ says Gran ’dad, holdin’ him- 
self in. Then he looks at me, an’ back to Ned, 
an’ says: ‘ I can’t see ye here. Where ye stop- 
pin’? At the Kenton house? ’ 

‘ Jes’ fer to-night,’ says Ned. ‘ It’s more 
private than a hotel.’ 

^ Go home, then,’ says Gran ’dad. ‘ I’ll come 
over, by-’n’-by.’ 

Ned opened the door an’ went out, sayin’ 
noth’n’ more. Gran ’dad finished his supper an’ 
then sot by the stove an’ smoked his pipe while 
I washed the dishes. I wondered why he didn’t 
go over an’ see Ned, but he sot there an’ smoked 
till I went upstairs to bed. That was queer, for 
I never knew him to smoke more’n one pipe o’ 
tobacco at a time, before, an’ then mostly on Sun- 
days. And I’d never seen his face so hard 
an’ cruel-lookin’ as it were that night, and his 
eyes seemed like they were made of glass. I 
didn’t undress, fer I knowed there ’d be trouble 
if he went over to Ned’s house, and I made up 
my mind to keep watch o’ things. 


THE PATE OF NED JOSELYN 


121 


So I set still in my room in the attic, an’ 
Gran ’dad set still in the room downstairs, an’ 
it must ’a’ be’n pretty late when I heard him get 
up an’ go out. I slipped down right after him, 
meanin’ to toiler him, an’ let myself out the back 
door so’s he wouldn’t see me. It had stopped 
snowin’ by then, but it was so cold that the air 
cut like a knife and the only jacket I had wasn’t 
any too warm fer such weather. 

When I got ’round the house 01’ Swallertail 
was standin’ on the bank, lookin’ at the river. 
I never knew nobody to try the steppin ’-stones 
in winter, an’ I s ’posed o’ course Gran ’dad would 
take the path to the bridge ; but he went down the 
bank, wadin’ through the snow, an’ started to 
cross over. The moon an’ the snow made it 
light enough to see easy, after you’d be’n out 
a few minutes. I watched him cross over an’ 
climb the bank an’ make for the house, an’ then 
I run down to the river myself. 

‘‘ The water covered all the stones, but I 
knew where they were as well as Gran ’dad did. 
I didn’t like my job a bit, but I knew if I waited 
to go roun’ by the bridge that I’d be too late to 
see anything that happened. So I screwed up 
courage an’ started over. My legs ain’t as long 


122 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


as a grown-up’s and at the third step I missed 
the stone an’ soused one leg in the water up 
to my knee. Gee! that was a cold one. But I 
wouldn’t give up, an’ kep’ on until jus^ in the 
middle, where the water were roarin’ the worst, 
I slipped with both legs and went in to my waist. 
That settled it for me. I thought I’d drown, for 
a minute, but I went crazy with fear an’ the next 
thing I knew I was standin’ on the bank where 
I’d come from an’ the cold wind was freezin’ 
a sheet of ice on my legs an’ body. 

‘‘ There wasn’t no time to lose. Whatever was 
happenin’ over to the big house didn’t mean as 
much to me as death did, an’ death was on my 
track if I didn’t get back home afore I froze 
stiff. I started to run. It ain’t far — look there, 
Josie, ye could almost make it in three jumps — 
but I remember failin’ down half a dozen times 
in the snow, an’ at the last I crawled to the door 
on my hands an’ knees an’ had jus’ strength 
enough to rise up an’ lift the latch. 

‘‘ Gran ’dad’s awful stingy about bumin’ wood, 
but I threw the chunks into the stove till the 
old thing roared like a furnace an’ when I’d 
thawed out some I got off my shoes an’ stockin’s 
an’ my wet dress an’ put another skirt on. Then 


THE FATE OP NED JOSELYN 


123 


I lay in Granddad’s chair afore the fire an’ shiv- 
ered an’ cried like a baby whenever I thought o’ 
that icy river. 

‘‘ I guess I must ’a’ went to sleep, afterwards, 
fer when I woke-ap the fire was gett’n’ low an’ 
OP Swallertail opened the door on a sudden an’ 
walked in. Josie, ye orter seen him! His legs 
was wet an’ icy, too, so he must ’a’ slipped on 
the stones him-self; an’ he was shakin’ all over 
as if he’d got the ague. His face was a dirty 
white an’ his eyes burnt like two coals. He threw 
on more wood, reckless-like, an’ jerked off his 
shoes an’ socks an’ set down t’other side the 
stove. Neither of us said noth’n’ fer awhile an’ 
then he looks at me sort o’ curious an’ asks : 

“ ^ Did ye git across, Ingua? ’ 

* No,’ says I. ^ I near got drowned, tryin’ 
it.’ 

“ Then he set silent ag’in, lookin’ at the fire. 
By-’n’-by says he : ‘ Ingua, yer old enough to hev 
sense, an’ I want ye to think keerful on what I’m 
goin’ ter say. Folks aroun’ here don’t like 
you an’ me very much, an’ if they got a chance — 
or even thought they had a chance — they’d 
crush us under heel like they would scorpions. 
That’s ’cause we’re Craggs, for Craggs ain’t 


124 MAKY LOUISE IN THE COUNTKY 


never be’n poplar in this neighborhood, for some 
reason. Now lis’n. IVe done with Ned Joselyn. 
It ain’t my fault as IVe cast him off; it’s his’n. 
He’s got a bad heart an’ he’s robbed me right 
an’ left. I could fergive him fer that, because — 
well, ye don’t need to know why I clung to the 
feller when I knew he was a scoundrel. But he 
robbed a cause dearer to my heart than myself, 
an’ for that I couldn’t fergive him. Nobody 
knows Ned were here to-night, Ingua, so if any- 
body asks ye questions ye didn’t see him at all. 
Fix that firm in yer mind. Ye don’t know noth’n’ 
’bout Ned sence he went away las’ October. Ye 
hain’t seen him. Stick to that, girl, an’ yer all 
right; but if ye blab — if ye ever tell a soul as 
Ned were here — I’ll hev to kill yer myself, to 
stop yer mouth. Fix that in yer mind, too. ’ 

I was so skeered that I jes’ looked at him. 
Then I says in a whisper: ‘ What did ye do to 
Ned, Gran ’dad? ’ 

* He turned his eyes on me so fierce that I 
dropped my head. 

‘ I didn’t kill him, if that’s what ye mean,’ 
says he. ‘ I orter strangled him, but I didn’t 
want to swing fer no common thief like Ned 
Joselyn. Besides, he’s — but that’s none o’ yer 


THE PATE OP NED JOSELYN 


125 


business. So I threatened him, an’ that was jus’ 
as good as killin’. He won’t show up ag’in here, 
never; an’ he ain’t likely to show up anywheres 
else that he’s known. P’raps he’ll be hunted 
for, but he’ll keep out o’ the way. You an’ I 
ain’t got noth’n’ to worry about, Ingua — unless 
you blab.’ 

I didn’t believe a word he said, Josie. They 
was jus’ words, an’ it was nat’ral he’d lie about 
that night’s work. When I went to bed it was 
near mo min’, but 01’ Swallertail was still sett’n’ 
by the fire. 

Nex’ day he went on jus’ as usual, an’ from 
then till now he’s never spoke to me of that 
night. In a couple o’ weeks we heard as Ned’ 
Joselyn had run away. His wife come down here 
askin’ fer him, but nobody ’d seen hide ner hair 
of him. That’s all, Josie; that’s the whole story, 
an’ I’m glad you know it now as well as I do. 
Wha’ d’ye think? Did 01’ Swallertail kill Ned 
Joselyn? ” 

Josie woke from her meditation with a start. 

I — I’m going to think it over,” she said 
evasively. ‘‘It’s a queer story, Ingua — mighty 
queer — and it’s going to take a lot of thought 
before I make up my mind about it.” 


CHAPTER XII 


THEOBIES ABE DANGEBOUS 

“ What were you and Ingua talking about for 
so long? ’’ asked Mary Louise, when she and 
Josie were alone. 

“ She was telling me her story, was the reply. 

“All of it?’^ 

“ Every bit of it, I think. 

“ Oh, what was it all about? questioned Mary 
Louise eagerly. 

“ IVe promised not to tell.” 

“ Not even me, Josie? ” 

“ Not even you. Ingua insisted; and, really, 
dear, it’s better you should know nothing just at 
present.” 

“ Am I to be left out of all this thrilling mys- 
tery? ” demanded Mary Louise with an 
aggrieved air. 

“ There won’t be a thrill in it, until the end, 
and perhaps not then. But you shall come in 
at the finish, if not before; I’ll promise that.’' 

126 


THEOEIES ARE DANGEROUS 


127 


Won’t this enforced promise to Ingua tie 
your hands? ” queried the other girl, thought- 
fully. 

‘‘No. I didn’t promise not to act, but only to 
keep the child’s secret. For Ingua ’s sake, as 
well as to satisfy your curiosity — and my own — 
I’m going to delve to the bottom of Ned Joselyn’s 
disappearance. That will involve the attempt to 
discover all about Old Swallowtail, who is a 
mystery all by himself. I shall call on you to 
help me, at times, Mary Louise, but you’re not 
to be told what is weighing so heavily on poor 
Ingua ’s mind.” 

“ Well,” said Mary Louise, “ if I may help, 
that will serve to relieve my disappointment to 
an extent. But I’m surprised at Ingua. I 
thought she loved and trusted me.” 

“ So she does,” asserted Josie. “ Since I’ve 
heard the story, I’m not surprised at Ingua at 
all. If you knew all, my dear, you would realize 
why she believes that one confidant is enough. 
Indeed, I ’m rather surprised that Ingua ventured 
to confide in me.” 

“ Is it so serious, then? ” 

“ If her fears are justified,” replied Josie 
gravely, “ it is very serious.” 


128 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


But are they justified? ’’ urged Mary Louise. 

‘ ‘ Ingua is a child, and very sensitive to impres- 
sions. But she is a shrewd child and, living a 
lonely life, has had ample time to consider the 
problems that confront her. Whether she is right 
or wrong in her conjectures, time will determine. 
But don’t question me further, please, or you will 
embarrass me. To-morrow I want to go to the 
city, which is the county seat. Will you go with 
me? And can we get Uncle Eben to drive us 
over in the car? ” 

I’ll ask Gran ’pa Jim.” 

Colonel Hathaway was rather amused at the 
etforts of the two girls to fathom the mystery 
of Old Swallowtail, hut he was willing to assist 
in any practical way. So Uncle Eben drove them 
to the county seat next day and Josie spent sev- 
eral hours in the county clerk’s office and paid a 
visit to the chief of police, who knew her father, 
John O’Gorman, by reputation. Mary Louise 
shopped leisurely while her friend was busy with 
her investigations and at last they started for 
home, where they arrived in time for dinner. 
On the way, Mary Louise inquired if Josie had 
secured any information of importance. 

A little,” said the girl detective. For one 


THEORIES ARE DANGEROUS 


129 


tiling, old Hezekiah Cragg pays taxes on just 
one bit of land besides that little homestead 
of his. It is a five-acre tract, but the assessment 
puts it at an astonishingly low valuation — 
scarcely ten per cent of the value of all sur- 
rounding property. That strikes me as queer. 
IVe got the plat of it and to-morrow we will 
look it up.’^ 

They found it was not easy to locate that five 
acres, even with a map, when the two girls made 
the attempt the next forenoon. But finally, at 
the end of a lonely lane about a mile and a half 
from the village, they came upon a stony tract 
hemmed in by low hills, which seemed to fit the 
location described. The place was one mass of 
tumbled rocks. Little herbiage of any sort grew 
there and its low assessment value was easily 
explained. The surrounding farms, all highly 
cultivated, backed up to the little waste valley, 
which was fenced out — or rather in — by the 
owners of the fertile lands. One faintly trodden 
path led from the bars of the lane the girls were 
in toward Mr. Cragg ^s five acres of stones, but 
amid the jumble of rocks it would be difficult 
to walk at all. 

This is an odd freak of nature,^’ remarked 


130 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Josie, gazing at tlie waste with a puzzled expres- 
sion. It is easy to imderstand why Mr. Cragg 
hasn’t sold this lot, as he did all his other land. 
No one would buy it.” 

Haven’t the stones a value, for building or 
something? ” asked Mary Louise. 

Not in this location, so far from a railway. 
In my judgment the tract is absolutely worthless. 
I wonder that so economical a man as Mr. Cragg 
pays taxes on it.” 

They went no farther than the edge of the 
rock-strewn field, for there was nothing more to 
see. Up the slope of the hill, on the far side 
from where they stood, were jumbled masses of 
huge slabs and boulders that might be pictur- 
esque but were not especially interesting. The 
girls turned and retraced their steps to the neg- 
lected lane and from thence reached the main 
road again. 

I have now satisfied myself on two counts,” 
was Josie ’s comment. ‘‘ First, that Mr. Cragg 
owns no property but this stone-yard and his 
little home, and second, that within the last 
forty years he has at different times disposed of 
seventy thousand dollars worth of land left him 
by his father. The county records prove that. 


THEORIES ARE DANGEROUS 131 

The last sale was made about four years ago, so 
he has consistently turned all his real estate into 
ready money,’’ 

What can he have done with so much 
money? ” exclaimed Mary Louise. 

^ ‘ Ah, that is part of the mystery, my dear. If 
he still has it, then the man is a miser. If he 
has lost it, he is a gambler, which is just about 
as bad. Either way, Hezekiah Cragg is not 
entitled to our admiration, to say the least. 
Let us admit that in a big city a man might 
lose seventy thousand dollars in business ven- 
tures without exciting adverse criticism except for 
a lack of judgment; but Old Swallowtail has 
never left Gragg’s Crossing, according to all 
reports, and I’m sure there is no way for him to 
squander a fortune here.” 

I think he must be a miser,” said Mary 
Louise with conviction. Ingua once told me of 
seeing lots of money pass between him and Mr. 
Joselyn. And — tell me, Josie — what is all his 
voluminous correspondence about? ” 

‘‘I’m going to investigate that presently,” 
replied her friend. “ It isn’t quite in line yet 
but will come pretty soon. To-morrow I shall 
call upon Old Swallowtail at his office.” 


132 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Shall you, really? And may I go with you, 
Josie? ’’ 

Not this time. You’d spoil my excuse, you 
see, for you are going to discharge your sewing- 
girl, and your sewing-girl is going to apply to 
Hezekiah Cragg for work. His granddaughter 
needs some sewing done, by the looks of her 
wardrobe. ’ ’ 

Oh. Very well. But you will tell me what 
happens? ” 

Of course.” 

‘ * Once, ’ ’ said Mary Louise, ‘ ‘ I proposed going 
myself to Mr. Cragg, to intercede for Ingua, but 
the girl thought I would do more harm than 
good. So I abandoned the idea.” 

I think that was wise. I don’t expect to get 
much out of the man except an interview, with a 
chance to study him at close range. Also I’m 
anxious to see what that mysterious office looks 
like. ’ ’ 

Mary Louise regarded her friend admiringly. 

You’re very brave, Josie,” she said. 

Pooh! There’s no danger. One of the first 
things father taught me about the detective 
business was that all men belong to one tribe, 
and the criminal is inevitably a coward at heart. 


THEORIES ARE DANGEROUS 


133 


Old Swallowtail may be afraid of me, before I^m 
through with this case, but whether he proves 
guilty or innocent I shall never fear him a 
particle.’’ 

f ‘ Have you any theory, as yet, Josiel ” 

No. Theories are dangerous things and 
never should be indulged in until backed by 
facts. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But do not theories often lead to facts ? And 
how about those ‘ O’Gorman theories ’ you men- 
tioned, which you were eager to test! ” 

Those are mere theories of investigation — 
methods to be pursued in certain situations. I 
believe I shall be able to test some of them in 
this case. My plan is to find out all I can about 
everyone and everything, and then marshal my 
facts against the question involved. If there is 
no answer, I’ve got to learn more. If I can’t 
learn more, then the whole thing becomes mere 
guesswork — in other words, theory — more likely 
to be wrong than right.” 

Mary Louise seldom argued with Josie’s deci- 
sions. When, the next morning, her friend 
started for the village to call upon Old Swallow- 
tail, she pressed her hand and wished her good 
luck. Josie departed in her plain gingham dress, 


134 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


shoes ran over at the heels, hair untidy and 
uncovered by hat or hood — a general aspect of 
slovenly servitude. 

Mr. Cragg was never an early riser. He break- 
fasted at eight o’clock and at half past eight 
stalked with stiff dignity to town and entered 
his office without deigning to recognize any vil- 
lagers he might meet. Josie was aware of this 
habit. She timed her visit for half -past ten. 

Unnoticed she passed through the village street 
and crept up the stairs at the end of the store 
building. Before the door marked ‘‘H. Cragg, 
Real Estate ” she paused to listen. No sound 
came from within, but farther along the passage 
she heard the dull rumble of Miss Huckins’ 
sewing machine. 

For once Josie hesitated, but realizing that 
hesitation meant weakness on such an errand 
she boldly thrust out a hand and attempted to 
turn the doorknob. 


CHAPTER XIII 


BLUFF AND KEBUFF 

The doer was locked. Immediately Josie 
pounded upon it with her knuckles and a voice 
demanded : 

Who is there? 

Instead of replying, Josie knocked again, and 
suddenly the door was opened and Old Swallow- 
tail stood before her. 

I — I beg your pardon,’' said she diffidently; 
“ are you the real estate man? ” 

Yes,” he replied, standing quietly in the 
doorway. 

Then you’re the man I want to see,” she 
asserted and took a step forward. But he did 
not move an inch from his position and his eyes 
were fixed steadfastly on her face. 

I have nothing to sell, at present,” he 
remarked. 

But I want to give you something to sell,” 
she retorted impatiently, summoning her wits to 

135 


136 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


meet the occasion. “ Let me in, please. Or do 
you transact all your business in the hallway! ’’ 

Somewhat to her surprise he stepped back and 
held the door for her to enter. Josie promptly 
walked in and sat down near a round table, one 
comprehensive glance fixing in her mind the 
entire contents of the small room. 

There was one window, dim and imwashed, 
facing the street. It had a thick shade, now 
raised. Originally the room had been square, and 
rather crudely plastered and wallpapered, but a 
wooden partition had afterward been erected to 
cut the room into two, so that the portion she had 
entered was long and narrow. Its sole furniture 
consisted of the round table, quite bare, two or 
three wooden-bottomed chairs, and against one 
wall a rack filled with books. During the inter- 
view she noted that these books were mostly direc- 
tories of the inhabitants of various prominent 
cities in the United States, and such a collection 
astonished her and aroused her curiosity. 

Just at present, however, the partition proved 
the most interesting tiling she observed, for 
beyond it must be another room which was doubt- 
less the particular sanctum of Old Swallowtail 
and to which she scarcely expected to gain admit- 


BLUFF AND REBUFF 


137 


tance. The door was closed. It was stout and 
solid and was fitted with both an ordinary door- 
lock and a hasp and padlock, the latter now hang- 
ing on a nail beside the door. 

This much Josie’s sharp eyes saw in her first 
glance, but immediately her attention was 
demanded by Mr. Cragg, who took a seat oppo- 
site her and said in a quiet, well modulated voice : 

‘‘ Now, my girl, state your business.’’ 

She had planned to tell him how she had come 
to town to sew for Mary Louise Burrows, how 
she had now finished her work but was so 
charmed with Gragg’s Crossing that she did not 
care to leave it during the hot weather to return 
to the stuffy city. Therefore, she intended to 
add, if he would let her make some new dresses 
for Ingua, she would work for half her regular 
wages. Her dress as a sewing-girl would carry 
out this deception and the bait of small wages 
ought to interest the old man. But this clever 
plan had suddenly gone glimmering, for in order 
to gain admittance to the office and secure an 
interview with Old Swallowtail she had inad- 
vertently stated that she had some real estate 
to dispose of. So sudden a change of base 
required the girl to think quickly in order to 


138 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

formulate a new argument that would hold his 
attention. 

To gain time she said, slowly: 

My name is Josie Jessup. I’m a sewing-girl 
by profession.” 

‘‘ Yes, I know,” he replied. 

‘‘ IVe been here ten days or so, working for 
Miss Burrows.” 

I have seen you here,” said Mr. Gragg. 

She wondered how he knew so much, as he had 
never seemed to favor her with even a glance 
when by chance they met in the street. But 
perhaps Ingua had told him. 

I like Gragg’s Grossing,” continued Josie, 
assuming a confidential tone, “ and I’ve made up 
my mind I’d like to live here. There ought to 
be plenty of work sewing for the farmers ’ wives, 
outside of what Miss Huckins does, and it don’t 
cost much to live in a small town. In the city 
I own a little house and lot left to me by my 
uncle on my mother’s side, and I’ve decided to 
trade it for some place here. Don’t you know, 
sir, of someone who’d like to move to the city, 
and will be glad to make the exchange? ” 

‘‘ I know of no such person,” he replied coldly. 

‘‘ But you will make inquiries? ” 


BLUFF AND REBUFF 


139 


“ It would be useless. I am very busy to-day, 
so if you will excuse me — 

He rose and bowed. 

Josie was disappointed. Sbe decided to revert 
to her first proposition. 

Doesn’t your granddaughter need some sew- 
ing done, sirf ” she asked, with a frank look 
from her innocent blue eyes. 

He stood still, silently studying her face. With 
one hand he rubbed his chin gently, as if in 
thought. Then he said: 

We cannot afford to hire our sewing done, 
but I thank you for the offer. Good morning, 
Miss — Jessup. ’ ’ 

Walking to the door he held it open and bowed 
gravely as she walked out. Next moment she 
heard the key click as it turned in the lock. 

Josie, feeling a sense of failure, slowly went 
down the stairs, entered the store and perched 
herself upon the sugar-barrel. Old Sol was wait- 
ing on a farmer’s wife and only gave the girl 
a glance. 

Josie reflected on her interview with Mr. Cragg 
while it was fresh in her mind. He was no crude, 
uneducated country bumpkin, despite his odd 
ways and peculiar dress. Indeed, the man had 


140 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


astonished her by his courtesy, his correct method 
of speech, his perfect self-assurance. Her visit 
was calculated to annoy him and to arouse his 
jmpatience. After Ingua’s report of him she 
expected he would become scornful or sarcastic 
or even exhibit violent anger; yet there had been 
nothing objectionable in his manner or words. 
Still, he had dismissed her as abruptly as pos- 
sible and was not eager to grasp an opportunity 
to exchange real estate. 

That isn’t his business at all,” she told her- 
self. ‘‘It’s merely a blind, although he actually 
did rent the Kenton Place to Colonel Hatha- 
way ... I wonder what he does in that 
office all day. In the inner room, of course. That 
is his real workshop . . . He’s quite gentle- 

manly. He has a certain amount of breeding, 
which Ingua wholly lacks. . . . He must 

realize what a crude and uncultured little thing 
his granddaughter is. Then why hasn’t he tried 
to train her differently? . . . Really, he 

quite awed me with his stately, composed manner. 
No one would expect that sort of man to be a 
murderer. But — there! haven’t I been warned 
that the educated gentleman is the worst tjq)e of 
criminal, and the most difficult to detect? ” 


BLUFF AND REBUFF 


141 


SoUs customer went away and the old man 
approached the barrel. 

Well/’ he said, “ wanter buy anything 
to-day? ” 

‘‘ No,” said Josie pleasantly, ‘‘ this is only a 
social call. I’ve just come from Old Swallow- 
tail’s office and thought a word with you would 
cheer me up.” 

You! You be’n to 01’ Swallertail’s office? 
Sakes alive, gal, I wouldn’t dare do that myself.” 

Why not? ” 

He goes crazy when he gits mad.” 

Are you sure of that?*” 

<< Ev’rybody here knows it, from the three- 
year-olds up. What did ye go to him for? ” 

A little matter of business.” 

An’ he slammed the door in yer face? ” 

‘‘No, indeed.” 

“ That’s funny,” said old Sol, rubbing his 
forehead in a perplexed way. 

“ He was very decent to me,” continued Josie. 
‘ ‘ Acted like a gentleman. Talked as if he ’d been 
to school, you know.” 

“ School? Well, I should say he had! ” 
exclaimed the storekeeper. “01’ Swallertail’s 
the most eddicated man in these ’ere parts, I 


142 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

guess. OP Nick Cragg, his daddy, wanted for 
him to be a preacher — or a priest, most likely — 
an’ when he was a hoy his oP man paid good 
money to hev him eddicated at a the — at a 
theo — at a collidge. But Hezekiah wa’n’t over- 
religious, an’ ’lowed he didn’t hev no call to 
preach; so that’s all the good the eddication ever 
done him.” 

‘‘ You^ve never felt the need of an education, 
have you? ” asked the girl, artlessly. 

Me? Well, I ain’t sayin’ as I got no eddica- 
tion, though I don’t class myself in book-Parnin’ 
with OP Swallertail. Three winters I went to 
school, an’ once I helped whip the school-teacher. 
Tain’t ev’ryone has got that record. But eddica- 
tion means more’n hooks; it means keepin’ yer 
eyes open an’ gitt’n’ onter the tricks o’ yer trade. 
Ev’ry time I git swindled, I’ve Parned somethin’, 
an’ if I’d started this store in New York instid 
o’ Gragg’s Crossin’, they might he runnin’ me 
fer president hy this time.” 

But what could Gragg’s Crossing have done 
without you? ” inquired Josie. It seems to 
me you’re needed here.” 

‘‘ Well, that’s worth thinkin’ on,” admitted the 
storekeeper. 


BLUFF AND REBUFF 


143 


‘‘ And as for Old Swallowtail, he may have 
learned some tricks of his trade too. Bnt I don’t 
know what his trade is/’ 

‘‘ Nobody knows that. I don’t b’lieve that 
business o’ his ’n is a trade at all; I’ll bet it’s a 
steal, whatever its other name happens to be.” 
‘‘ But he doesn’t prosper.” 

‘‘No; he ain’t got much t’ show fer all these 
years. Folks used to think he’d got money saved 
from the sale of his land, till Ned Joselyn come 
here an’ dallied with 01’ Swallertail’s savin’s an’ 
then took to the woods. It’s gener’ly b’lieved 
that what Cragg had once Ned’s got now; but it 
don’t matter much. Cragg hain’t got long ter 
live an’ his feed don’t cost him an’ his little gal 
much more’n it costs to feed my cat.” 

There was no further information to be gleaned 
from Sol Jerrems, so Josie walked home. 


CHAPTER XIV 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 

“ Well, how is our girl detective progressing 
in her discovery of crime and criminals? ” asked 
Colonel Hathaway that evening, as they sat in 
the living-room after dinner. 

“ DonT call me a girl detective, please,’’ 
pleaded Josie O’Gorman. ‘‘I’m only an appren- 
tice at the trade. Colonel, and I have never real- 
ized more than I do at this moment the fact 
that I’ve considerable to learn before I may claim 
membership with the profession.” 

“ Then you’re finding your present trail a dif- 
ficult one to follow? ” 

“ I believe my stupidity is making it difficult,” 
admitted Josie, with a sigh. “ Father would 
scold me soundly if he knew how foolishly I 
behaved to-day. There was every opportunity 
of my forcing a clew by calling unexpectedly on 
Mr. Cragg at his office, but he defeated my pur- 
pose so easily that now I’m wondering if he sus- 

144 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 


145 


pects who I am, and why I’m here. He couldn’t 
have been more cautious.” 

“ He could scarcely suspect that,” said the 
Colonel, musingly. “ But I’ve noticed that these 
simple country people are chary of confiding 
in strangers.” 

‘ ‘ Ah, if Mr. Cragg were only that — a simple, 
unlettered countryman, as I thought him — I 
should know how to win his confidence. But, do 
you know, sir, he is well educated and intelligent. 
Once he studied for the priesthood or ministry, 
attending a theological college.” 

Indeed! ” 

‘ ‘ My informant, the village authority — who 
is Sol Jerrems the storekeeper — says he objected 
to becoming a priest at the last because he had no 
leaning that way. My own opinion is that he 
feared his ungovernable temper would lead to 
his undoing. I am positive that his hysterical 
fury, when aroused, has gotten him into trouble 
many times, even in this patient commimity.” 

“ That’s it,” said Mary Louise with convic- 
tion; his temper has often made him cruel to 
poor Ingua, and perhaps his temper caused 
unfortunate Ned Joselyn to disappear.” 

Josie looked at her curiously. 


146 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


“ Have you discovered anything more than 
you have told me? she asked. 

‘‘ Not a thing/’ replied Mary Louise. ‘‘I’m 
waiting for you to make discoveries, Josie.” 

“ A puzzle that is readily solved,” remarked 
the Colonel, picking up his book, “is of little 
interest. The obstacles you are meeting, Josie, 
incline me to believe you girls have unearthed a 
real mystery. It is not a mystery of the moment, 
however, so take your time to fathom it. The 
summer is young yet.” 

Josie went to her room early, saying she was 
tired, but as soon as she was alone and free she 
slipped on a jacket and stealthily left the house, 
Down the driveway she crept like a shadow, out 
through the gates, over the bridge, and then she 
turned down the pathway leading to Old Swal- 
lowtail’s cottage. 

“ The stepping-stones are a nearer route,” she 
reflected, “ but I don’t care to tackle them in the 
dark.” 

The cottage contained but three rooms. The 
larger one downstairs was a combination kitchen 
and dining room. A small wing, built upon one 
side, was used by Mr. Cragg for his private apart- 
ment, but its only outlet was through the main 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 


147 


room. At the back was a lean-to shed, in which 
was built a narrow flight of stairs leading to a 
little room in the attic, where Ingua slept. Josie 
knew the plan of the house perfectly, having 
often visited Ingua during the day when her 
grandfather was absent and helped her sweep and 
make the beds and wash the dishes. 

To-night Josie moved noiselessly around the 
building, satisfied herself that Ingua was asleep 
and that Mr. Cragg was still awake, and then 
strove to peer through the shuttered window to 
discover what the old man was doing. 

She found this impossible. Although the 
weather was warm the window was tightly shut 
and a thick curtain was drawn across it. 

Josie slipped over to the river bank and in 
the shadow of a tree sat herself down to watch 
and wait with such patience as she could muster. 
It was half past nine o’clock, and Ingua had told 
her that when her grandfather was wakeful, and 
indulged in his long walks, he usually left the 
house between ten o ’clock and midnight — seldom 
earlier and never later. He would go to bed, the 
child said, and finding he could not sleep, would 
again dress and go out into the night, only to 
return at early morning. 


148 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Josie doubted that he ever undressed on such 
occasions, knowing, as he no doubt did, perfectly 
well what his program for the night would be. She 
had decided that the nocturnal excursions were 
not due to insomnia but were carefully planned 
to avoid possible observation. When all the 
countryside was wrapped in slumber the old 
gentleman stole from his cottage and went — 
where? Doubtless to some secret place that had 
an important bearing on his life and occupation. 
It would be worth while, Josie believed, to dis- 
cover the object of these midnight excursions. 
Ingua claimed that her grandfather’s periods of 
wakeful walking were irregular; sometimes he 
would be gone night after night, and then for 
weeks he would remain at home and sleep like 
other folks. 

So Josie was not surprised when old Swallow- 
tail’s light was extinguished shortly after ten 
o’clock and from then until midnight he had 
not left the house. Evidently this was not one 
of his wakeful ” periods. The girl’s eyes, 
during this time, never left the door of the cot- 
tage. The path to the bridge passed her scarcely 
five yards distant. Therefore, as Hezekiah Cragg 
had not appeared, he was doubtless sleeping the 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 


149 


sleep of the just — or the unjust, for all sorts 
and conditions of men indulge in sleep. 

Josie waited until nearly one o^clock. Then 
she went home, let herself in by a side door 
to which she had taken the key, and in a few 
minutes was as sound asleep as Old Swallowtail 
ought to be. 

For three nights in succession the girl main- 
tained this vigil, with no result whatever. It 
was wearisome work and she began to tire of 
it. On the fourth day, as she was visiting 
with Ingua, she asked: 

‘‘ Has your grandfather had any sleepless 
nights lately? 

I don’t know,” was the reply. But he 
ain’t walked any, as he sometimes does, for I 
hain’t heard him go out.” 

“ Do you always hear him? ” 

“ P’r’aps not always, but most times.” 

‘‘ And does he walk more than one night? ” 
inquired Josie. 

‘ ‘ When he takes them fits, they lasts for a week 
or more,” asserted Ingua. Then, for a long 
time, he sleeps quiet.” 

‘‘ Will you let me know, the next time he takes 
to walking? ” 


150 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

‘‘ Why I ’’ asked the child, suspiciously. 

It^s a curious habit,’’ Josie explained, ‘‘ and 
I’d like to know what he does during all those 
hours of the night. ’ ’ 

‘‘ He walks,” declared Ingua; ‘‘ and, if he does 
anything else, it’s his own business.” 

‘‘ I’ve wondered,” said Josie impressively, if 
he doesn’t visit some hidden grave during those 
midnight rambles.” 

Ingua shuddered. 

I wish ye wouldn’t talk like that,” she 
whispered. It gives me the creeps.” 

‘‘ Wouldn’t you like to know the truth of all 
this mystery, Ingua? ” 

“ Sometimes I would, an’ sometimes I 
wouldn’t. If the truth leaked out, mebbe Gran’- 
dad would git inter a lot o’ trouble. I don’t want 
that, Josie. I ain’t no cause to love Gran’dad, 
but he’s a Cragg an’ I’m a Gragg, an’ no Gragg 
ever went back on the fambly.” 

It seemed unwise to urge the child further to 
betray her grandfather, yet for Ingua ’s sake, if 
for no other reason, Josie was determined to 
uncover the hidden life of Hezekiah Gragg. 

The following night she watched again at her 
station by the river bank, and again the mid- 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 


151 


night hour struck and the old man had not left 
his cottage. His light was extinguished at eleven 
o’clock. At twelve-thirty Josie rose from the 
shadow of the tree and slowly walked to the 
bridge. There, instead of going home, she turned 
in the direction of the town. 

In the sky were a few stars and the slim cres- 
cent of a new moon, affording sufficient light to 
guide her steps. Crickets chirped and frogs in 
the marshes sang their hoarse love songs, but 
otherwise an intense stillness pervaded the 
countryside. You must not consider Josie O’Gor- 
man an especially brave girl, for she had no 
thought of fear in such solitary wanderings. 
Although but seventeen years of age, she had 
been reared from early childhood in an atmos- 
phere of intrigue and mystery, for her detective 
father had been accustomed to argue his cases 
and their perplexities with his only child and for 
hours at a time he would instruct her in all the 
details of his profession. It was 0 ’Gorman’s 
ambition that his daughter might become a highly 
proficient female detective. 

‘‘ There are so many cases where a woman is 
better than a man,” he would say, and there 
is such a lack of competent women in this 


152 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


important and fascinating profession, that I 
am promoting the interests of both my daughter 
and the public safety by training Josie to become 
a good detective.’’ 

And the girl, having been her father’s confi- 
dant since she was able to walk and talk, became 
saturated with detective lore and only needed 
practical experience and more mature judgment 
fully to justify 0 ’Gorman’s ambition for her. 

However, the shfewd old secret service officer 
well knew that the girl was not yet ready to be 
launched into active service. The experience she 
needed was only to be gained in just such odd 
private cases as the one on which she was now 
engaged, so he was glad to let her come to 
Gragg’s Crossing, and Josie was glad to be 
there. She was only content when working,” 
and however the Gragg mystery developed or 
resulted, her efforts to solve it were sure to 
sharpen her wits and add to her practical knowl- 
edge of her future craft. 

When she reached the town she found it abso- 
lutely deserted. Not a light shone anywhere; 
no watchman was employed ; the denizens of 
Gragg’s Crossing were all in bed and reveling 
in dreamland. 


MIDNIGHT VIGILS 


153 


Josie sat on the bottom stair of the flight lead- 
ing to the store and removed her shoes. Upstairs 
the family of Sol Jerrems and Miss Huckins the 
dressmaker were sleeping and must not be dis- 
turbed. The girl made no sound as she mounted 
the stairs and softly stole to the door of H. 
Gragg’s real estate office. Here it was dark as 
could be, but Josie drew some skeleton keys from 
her pocket and slid them, one by one, into the 
lock. The fourth key fitted ; she opened the door 
silently and having entered the room drew the 
door shut behind her. 

The thick shade was drawn over the window. 
It was as black here as it was in the hallway. 
Josie flashed a small searchlight on the door of 
the coimecting room and saw that it was not only 
locked in the ordinary manner but that the pad- 
lock she had noted on her former visit to the 
room was now inserted in the hasp and formed 
an additional security against intrusion. 

While her electric spotlight played upon this 
padlock she bent over and examined it swiftly 
but with care. 

** A Yale lock,” she muttered. It can’t be 
picked, but it will delay me for only a few min- 
utes.” 


154 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Then from her pocket she brought out a small 
steel hack-saw, and as she could not work the 
saw and hold the flashlight at the same time she 
went to the window and removed the heavy shade. 
The light that now came into the room was dim, 
but sufficient for her purpose. Returning to the 
door of the mysterious inner room, the contents 
of which she had determined to investigate, she 
seized the padlock firmly with one hand while 
with the other she began to saw through the 
steel loop that passed through the hasp. 

The sound made by the saw was so slight that 
it did not worry her, but another sound, of an 
entirely different character and coming from 
the hallway, caused her to pause and glance 
over her shoulder. 

Slowly the outer door opened and a form 
appeared in the doorway. It was a mere shadow, 
at first, but it deliberately advanced to the table, 
struck a match and lighted a small kerosene 
lamp. 

She was face to face with Old Swallowtail. 


CHAPTER XV 


OLD SWALLOWTAIL ’’ 

Josie was so astonished that she still bent 
over the lock, motionless, saw in hand. In the 
instant she made a mental review of her pro- 
ceedings and satisfied herself that she had been 
guilty of no professional blunder. The inoppor- 
tune appearance of Mr. Cragg must be attributed 
to a blind chance — to fate. So the first wave of 
humiliation that swept over her receded as she 
gathered her wits to combat this unexpected 
situation. 

Mr. Cragg stood by the table looking at her. 
He was very calm. The discovery of the girl 
had not aroused that violence of temper for 
which the old man was noted. Josie straightened 
up, slipped the saw in her pocket and faced him 
unflinchingly. 

‘‘ Won^t you sit down? ’’ he said, pointing to 
a chair beside her. I would like to know why 
you have undertaken to rob me.’’ 

Josie sat down, her heart bounding with joy. 

155 


156 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

If lie mistook her for a thief all was not lost and 
she would not have to write finis ’’ as yet to 
this important case. But she made no answer 
to his remark ; she merely stared at him in a dull, 
emotionless way that was cleverly assumed. 

I suppose,’^ he continued, you have been 
told I am rich — a miser — and perhaps you 
imagine I keep my wealth in that little room, 
because I have taken pains to secure it from 
intrusion by prying meddlers. I suspected you, 
my girl, when you came to see me the other day. 
Your errand was palpably invented. You wanted 
to get the lay of the room, in preparation for 
this night’s work. But who told you I was worthy 
of being robbed? Was it Ingua? ” 

“ No,” came a surly reply. She won’t men- 
tion you to me.” 

‘‘Very good. But the neighbors — the busy- 
bodies around here? Perhaps old Sol Jerrems 
has gossiped of my supposed hoard. Is it not 

BO? ” 

Josie dropped her eyes as if confused but 
remained silent. The old man seemed to regard 
her as a curiosity, for his cold gray eyes examined 
her person with the same expression with which 
he might have regarded a caged monkey. 


‘‘OLD SWALLOWTAIL*^ 


157 


“ Then you do not wish to confess! 

“ What’s the use? ” she demanded with a 
burst of impatience. Haven’t you caught me 
at the job? ” 

He continued to eye her, reflectively. 

“ The cities breed felons,” he remarked. It 
is a pity so young a girl should have chosen so 
dangerous and disastrous a career. It is inevi- 
tably disastrous. How did it happen that Colonel 
Hathaway allowed you to impose on him? ” 

“ I do sewing,” she said doggedly. 

In order to gain entrance to a household, I 
suppose. But Hathaway is wealthy. Why did 
you not undertake to rob him, instead of me! ” 
“ One at a time,” said Josie, with a short 
laugh. 

“ Oh, I understand. You expected to make the 
small pick-ups and then land the grand coup. 
The answer is simple, after all. But,” he added, 
his voice growing stem and menacing for the 
first time, I do not intend to be robbed, my girl. 
Fleece Hathaway if you can; it is none of my 
business ; but you must not pry into my personal 
affairs or rifle my poor rooms. Do you under- 
stand me? ” 

“I — I think so, sir.” 


158 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Avoid me, hereafter. Keep out of my path. 
The least interference from you, in any way, 
will oblige me to turn you over to the police.’’ 

You’ll let me go, now! ” 

He glanced at her, frowning. 

I am too much occupied to prosecute you — 
unless you annoy me further. Perhaps you have 
this night learned a lesson that will induce you 
to abandon such desperate, criminal ventures.” 
Josie stood up. 

I wish I knew how you managed to catch 
me,” she said, with a sigh. 

You were watching my house to-night, wait- 
ing until I was safely in bed before coming here. 
I happened to leave my room for a little air, and 
going out my back door I passed around the house 
and stood at the comer, in deep shade. My eyes 
were good enough to distinguish a form lurking 
under the tree by the river bank. I went in, put 
out my light, and returned to my former position. 
You watched the house and I watched you. You 
are not very clever, for all your slyness. You 
will never be clever enough to become a good 
thief — meaning a successful thief. After a half 
hour .1 saw you rise and take the path to the vil- 
lage. I followed you. Do you understand now? 


‘ ‘ OLD SWALLOWTAIL ’ ’ 159 

God has protected the just and humbled the 
wicked. 

That final sentence surprised the girl. Coming 
from his lips, it shocked her. In his former 
speech he had not denounced her crime, but only 
her indiscretion and the folly of her attempt. 
Suddenly he referred to God as his protector, 
asserting his personal uprightness as warrant 
for Divine protection; and, singularly enough, 
his tone was sincere. 

Josie hesitated whether to go or not, for Old 
Swallowtail seemed in a talkative mood and she 
had already discovered a new angle to his char- 
acter. By way of diversion she began to cry. 

‘‘I — I know I^m wicked,’’ she sobbed; ‘‘ it’s 
wrong to steal; I know it is. But I — I — need 
the money, and you’ve got lots of it ; and — and — 
I thought you must be just as wicked as I am ! ’ ’ 

His expression changed to one of grim irony. 

Yes,” said he, by common report I am 
guilty of every sin in the calendar. Do you know 
why? ” 

‘‘No; of course I don’t! ” she answered, soft- 
ening her sobs to hear more clearly. 

“Years ago, when I was a young man, I 
stabbed a fellow-student in the neck — a dreadful 


160 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


wound — because he taunted me about my mode 
of dress. I was wearing the only clothes my 
eccentric father would provide me with. I am 
wearing the same style of costume yet, as pen- 
ance for that dastardly act — caused by an 
ungovernable temper with which I have been 
cursed from my birth. I would have entered the 
service of God had it not been for that temper. 
I am unable to control it, except by avoiding 
undue contact with my fellow men. That is why 
I am living here, a recluse, when I should be 
taking an active part in the world’s work.” 

He spoke musingly, as if to himself more than 
to the girl who hung on each word with eager 
interest. No one had ever told her as much of 
Old Swallowtail as he was now telling her of 
himself. She wondered why he was so confi- 
dential. Was it because she seemed dull and 
stupid! Because she was a stranger who was 
likely to decamp instantly when he let her go? 
Or was the retrospective mood due to the hour 
and the unwonted situation? She waited, scarce 
breathing lest she lose a word. 

‘ * The poor fellow whom I stabbed lived miser- 
ably for twenty years afterward,” he went on, 

and I supported him and his family during 


‘‘OLD SWALLOWTAIL^^ 


161 


that time, for his life had been ruined by my act. 
Later in life and here at the Crossing, people 
saw me kill a balky horse in a wild rage, and they 
have been afraid of me ever since. Even more 
recently I — 

He suddenly paused, remembering where he 
was and to whom he was speaking. The girPs 
face was perfectly blank when he shot a shrewd 
glance at it. Her look seemed to relieve his 
embarrassment. 

“ However,’^ said he in a different tone, “ I 
am not so black as I^m painted.’^ 

I don^t think you treat poor Ingua quite 
right, remarked Josie. 

“ Eh? Why not? 

“ You neglect her; you don^t give her enough 
to eat; she hasnT a dress ^ for a ragamuffin to 
wear. And she’s your granddaughter.” 

He drew in a long breath, staring hard. 

“ Has she been complaining? ” 

“Not to me,” said Josie; “but she doesn’t 
need to. Haven’t I eyes? Doesn’t everyone say 
it’s a shame to treat the poor child the way you 
do? My personal opinion is that you’re a poor 
excuse for a grandfather,” she added, with more 
spirit than she had yet exhibited. 


162 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


He sat silent a long time, looking at the lamp. 
His face was hard ; his long, slim fingers twitched 
as if longing to throttle someone; hut he posi- 
tively ignored Josie^s presence. She believed he 
was struggling to subdue what Ingua called the 
devils,’’ and would not have been surprised had 
he broken all bounds and tried to do her an 
injury. 

Go! ” he said at last, still without looking at 
her. “ Go, and remember that I will not forgive 
twice.” 

She thought it best to obey. Very softly she 
left the room, and as she passed out he was still 
staring at the flame of the lamp and alternately 
clenching and unclenching his talon-like fingers. 


CHAPTER XVI 


INGUA^S NEW DKESS 

“ Well/’ said Mary Louise, when Josie had 
related to her friend the story next morning, 
“ what do you think of Old Swallowtail now? ’’ 
About the same as before. I’m gradually 
accumulating facts to account for the old man’s 
strange actions, but I ’m not ready to submit them 
for criticism just yet. The plot is still a bit 
ragged and I want to mend the holes before I 
spread it out before you.” 

Do you think he suspects who you are? ” 

“ No; he thinks I’m a waif from the city with 
a penchant for burglary. He expects me to rob 
you, presently, and then run away. I’m so 
unlikely to cross his path again that he talked 
with unusual frankness to me — or at me, if you 
prefer to put it that way. All I gained last 
night was the knowledge that he’s afraid of 
himself, that his temper cost him a career in the 
world and obliged him to live in seclusion and 
that he has a secret which he doesn’t intend any 

163 


164 IVIARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


red-headed girl to stumble on accidentally.’’ 

“ And you think he was angry when you 
accused him of neglecting Ingua! ” 

I’m sure he was. It made him more furious 
than my attempt to saw his padlock. Come, let ’s 
run over and see Ingua now. I want to ask how 
her grandfather treated her this morning.^’ 

They walked through the grounds, crossed the 
river on the stepping-stones and found Ingua just 
finishing her morning’s work. The child greeted 
them eagerly. 

I’m glad you come,” she said, for I was 
meanin’ to run over to your place pretty soon. 
What d’ye think hes happened? Las’ night, in 
the middle o’ the night — or p’r’aps nearer 
momin’ — Gran ’dad begun to slam things aroun’. 
The smashin’ of tables an’ chairs woke me up, 
but I didn’t dare go down to see what was the 
matter. He tumbled ev’rything ’round in the 
kitchen an’ then went inter his own room an’ 
made the fur fly there. I knew he were in one o’ 
his tantrums an’ that he’d be sorry if he broke 
things, but it wasn’t no time to interfere. When 
the rumpus stopped I went to sleep ag’in, but 
I got up early an’ had his breakfas’ all ready 
when he come from his room. I’d picked up all 


INGUA’S NEW DRESS 165 

the stufE he’d scattered an’ mended a broken 
chair, an’ things didn’t look so bad. 

Well, 01’ Swallertail jes’ looked aroun’ the 
room an’ then at me an’ sot down to eat. ‘ Ingua,’ 
he says pretty soon, ‘ you need a new dress. ’ Say, 
girls, I near fell over backwards ! ‘ Go down to 
Sol Jerrems,’ says he, ^ an’ pick out the goods, 
an’ I’ll pay for it. I’ll stop in this momin’ an’ 
tell Sol to let ye have it. An’,’ says he, lookin’ 
at me ruther queer, ‘ ye might ask that red- 
headed sewin’-girl that’s stayin’ at the Hatha- 
ways’ to make it up fer ye. I don’t think she’ll 
ask ye a cent fer the work. ’ 

‘ Gran ’dad,’ says I, ‘ would ye hev a Cragg 
accep’ charity, even to the makin’ of a dress! ’ 

‘‘ ‘ No,’ says he; ‘ the girl owes me somethin’ 
an’ I guess she’ll be glad to square the account.’ 

Then he goes away to town an’ I’ve be’n 
nervous an’ flustered ever since. I can’t make it 
out, I can’t. Do you owe him anything, Josie! ” 
‘‘ Yes,” said Josie with a laugh, ‘‘ I believe 
I do. You shall have the dress, Ingua — all made 
up — and I’ll 'go down with you and help pick 
out the goods.” 

So will II ” exclaimed Mary Louise, highly 
delighted. 


166 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


And we will Rave Miss Huckins cut and fit 
it,” continued Josie. ‘‘I’m not much good at 
that thing, Ingua, so we will have a real dress- 
maker and I’ll pay her and charge it up to what 
I owe your grandfather. ’ ’ 

The little girl seemed puzzled. 

“ How’d ye happen to owe him anything, 
Josie f ” she asked. 

“ Didn’t he tell you? ” 

“ Not a word.” 

“ Then he expects it to remain a secret, and 
you mustn’t urge me to tell. I’m pretty good 
at keeping secrets, Ingua. Aren’t you glad of 
that? ” 

They trooped away to town, presently, all in 
high spirits, and purchased the dress and trim- 
mings at the store. Old Sol was so astonished 
at this transaction that he assailed the three 
girls with a thousand questions, to none of which 
did he receive a satisfactory reply. 

“ He didn’t put no limit on the deal,” said 
the storekeeper. “ He jus’ said: ‘ Whatever the 
gal picks out, charge it to me an’ I’ll pay the 
bill.’ Looks like 01’ Swallertail hed gone plumb 
crazy, don’t it? ” 

Then they went upstairs to Miss Huckins, who 


INGUA’S NEW DRESS 


167 


was likewise thrilled with excitement at the 
startling event of Ingua^s having a new dress. 
Mary Louise and Josie helped plan the dress, 
which was to be a simple and practical affair, 
after all, and the dressmaker measured the child 
carefully and promised her a fitting the very 
next day. 

“ I don’t quite understan’,” remarked Ingua, 
as they walked home after this impressive cere- 
mony, ‘‘ why you don’t make the dress yourself, 
Josie, an’ save yer money. You’re a dressmaker, 
ye say.” 

‘‘I’m a sewing-girl,” replied Josie calmly, 
“ but I’ve promised Mary Louise to sew for no 
one but her while I’m here, and I’m too lazy to 
sew much, anyway. I’m having a sort of vaca- 
tion, you know.” 

“ Josie is my friend,” explained Mary Louise, 
“ and I won’t let her sew at all, if I can help it. 
I want her to be just my companion and have 
a nice visit before she goes back to the city.” 

But when the two girls were alone Josie said 
to Mary Louise : 

“ Old Cragg isn’t so stony-hearted, after all. 
Just my suggestion last night that Ingua was 
being neglected has resulted in the new dress.” 


168 IMARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

‘‘ He threw things, though, before he made up 
his mind to be generous,” observed Mary Louise. 

But this proves that the old man isn’t so very 
poor. He must have a little money, Josie.” 

Josie nodded her head absently. She was try- 
ing hard to understand Mr. Gragg’s character, 
and so far it baffled her. He had frankly admitted 
his ungovernable temper and had deplored it. 
Also he had refrained from having Josie arrested 
for burglary because he was ‘‘ too occupied to 
prosecute her. ’ ’ Occupied ? Occupied with what ? 
Surely not the real estate business. She believed 
the true reason for her escape was that he 
dreaded prominence. Old Swallowtail did not 
wish to become mixed up with police courts any 
more than he could help. This very occurrence 
made her doubt him more than ever. 


CHAPTEE XVII 


A CLEW AT LAST 

That night Josie resumed her watch of Cragg^s 
cottage. She did not trust to the shadow of the 
tree to conceal her but hid herself under the 
hank of the river, among the dry stones, allowing 
only her head to project above the embankment 
and selecting a place where she could peer 
through some low bushes. 

She suspected that the excitement of the 
previous night might render the old man nervous 
and wakeful and send him out on one of his 
midnight prowls. This suspicion seemed justified 
when, at eleven-thirty, his light went out and 
a few minutes later he turned the comer of the 
house and appeared in the path. 

He did not seem nervous, however. With 
hands clasped behind his back and head bowed, 
he leisurely paced the path to the bridge, without 
hesitation crossed the river and proceeded along 
the road in a direction opposite to the village. 

Josie was following, keeping herself concealed 

169 


170 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

with utmost care. She remembered that his 
eyes were sharp in penetrating shadows. 

He kept along the main country road for a 
time and then turned to the right and followed 
an intersecting road. Half a mile in this direc- 
tion brought him to a lane running between two 
farm tracts but which was so little used that 
grass and weeds had nearly obliterated all traces 
of wagon- wheels. 

By this time Josie^s eyes were so accustomed 
to the dim moonlight that she could see distinctly 
some distance ahead of her. The sky was clear; 
there was just enough wind to rustle the leaves 
of the trees. Now and then in some farmyard 
a cock would crow or a dog bark, but no other 
sounds broke the stillness of the night. 

The girl knew now where Old Swallowtail was 
bound. At the end of this lane lay his five acres 
of stones, and he was about to visit it. The fact 
gave her a queer little thrill of the heart, for a 
dozen strange fancies crossed her mind in rapid 
succession. If he had really killed Ned Joselyn, 
it was probable he had buried the man in this 
neglected place, amongst the rubble of stones. 
Josie had inspected every foot of ground on the 
Kenton Place and satisfied herself no grave had 


A CLEW AT LAST 


171 


been dug there. Indeed, at the time of Joselyn^s 

disappearance the ground had been frozen 
so hard that the old man could not have dug a 
grave. Perhaps after a night or two he had 
dragged the corpse here and covered it with 
stones. It would be a safe hiding-place. 

And now regret for his act drove the murderer 
here night after night to watch over the secret 
grave. 

Or, granting that the supposed crime had not 
been committed, might not Mr. Gragg have dis- 
covered some sort of mineral wealth in his stone- 
yard, which would account for his paying taxes 
on the place and visiting it so often? Or did he 
simply love the solitude of the dreary waste 
where, safe from prying eyes, he could sit among 
the rocky boulders and commune with himself 
beneath the moonlit sky? 

Such conjectures as these occupied the girPs 
mind while she stealthily shadowed the old 
man along the lane. Never once did he look 
behind him, although she was prepared to dis- 
solve from view instantly, had he done so. And 
at last the end of the lane was reached and he 
climbed the rail fence which separated it from 
the valley of stones. 


172 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Josie saw him suddenly pause, motionless, as 
he clung to the rails. She guessed from his atti- 
tude that he was staring straight ahead of him 
at something that had surprised him. A full 
minute he remained thus before he let himself 
down on the other side and disappeared from 
view. 

The girl ran lightly forward and, crouching 
low, peered through the bars of the fence. Half 
a dozen paces distant the old man stood among 
the stones in a silent paroxysm of rage. He 
waved his long arms in the air, anon clenching 
his fists and shaking them at some object beyond 
him. His frail old body fluttered back and forth, 
right and left, as if he were doing a weird dance 
among the rocks. The violence of his emotion 
was something terrible to witness and fairly 
startled the girl. Had he screamed, or sobbed, 
or shrieked, or moaned, the scene would have 
been more bearable, but such excess of silent, 
intense rage, made her afraid for the first time 
in her life. 

She wanted to run away. At one time she 
actually turned to fly; but then common sense 
came to her rescue and she resolved to stay and 
discover what had affected Old Swallowtail so 


A CLEW AT LAST 


173 


strongly. From her present position she could 
see nothing more than a vista of tumbled stones, 
but rising until her head projected above the 
topmost rail she presently saw, far across the 
valley, an automobile, standing silhouetted 
against the gray background. 

The machine was at present vacant. It had 
been driven in from the other side of the valley, 
where doubtless there were other lanes corre- 
sponding with the one she was in. However, 
there was no fence on that side to separate the 
lane from the waste tract, so the machine had 
been driven as close as possible to the edge of 
the stones. 

Although the automobile was deserted, that 
was evidently the object which had aroused old 
Gragg’s fury, the object at which he was even yet 
shaking his clenched fists. Josie wondered and 
watched. Gradually the paroxysm of wrath 
diminished. Presently the old man stood as 
motionless as the stones about him. Five min- 
utes, perhaps, he remained thus, controlling him- 
self by a mighty effort, regaining his capacity to 
think and reason. Then, to the girl’s amazement, 
he tottered toward a large, shelf-like slab of 
stone and kneeling down, as before an altar, he 


174 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


bared bis bead, raised bis arms on bigb and 
began to pray. 

There was no mistaking tbis attitude. Old 
Swallowtail was calling on God to support bim 
in tbis bour of trial. Josie felt something clutch- 
ing at her heart. Nothing could be more impres- 
sive than tbis scene — this silent but earnest 
appeal to the Most High by the man whom she 
suspected of murder — of crimes even more ter- 
rible. She could see bis eyes, pleading and sin- 
cere, turned upward; could see bis gray hair 
flutter in the breeze; could see bis lips move, 
though they uttered no sound. And after be bad 
poured out bis heart to bis Maker be extended 
bis arms upon the slab, rested bis bead upon 
them and again became motionless. 

The girl waited. She was sorely troubled, sur- 
prised, even humiliated at being the witness of 
this extraordinary and varied display of emotion. 
She felt a sense of intrusion that was almost 
unjustifiable, even in a detective. What right 
bad anyone to spy upon a communion between 
God and man? 

He rose, at length, rose and walked uncertainly 
forward, stumbling among the ragged rocks. He 
made for the far hillside that was cluttered with 


A CLEW AT LAST 


175 


huge fragments of stone, some weighing many 
tons and all tumbled helter-skelter as if aim- 
lessly tossed there by some giant hand. And 
when he reached the place he threaded his way 
between several great boulders and suddenly dis- 
appeared. 

Josie hesitated a moment what to do, yet 
instinct urged her to follow. She had a feeling 
that she was on the verge of an important dis- 
covery, that events were about to happen which 
had been wholly unforeseen even by old Cragg 
himself. 

She was taking a serious risk by venturing on 
the stony ground, for under the moonlight her 
dark form would show distinctly against the dull 
gray of the stones. Yet she climbed the fence 
and with her eye fixed on the cluster of rocks 
where Old Swallowtail had disappeared she made 
her way as best she could toward the place. 
Should the old man reappear or the owner of 
the strange automobile emerge from the rocks 
Josie was sure to he discovered, and there was 
no telling what penalty she might he obliged 
to pay for spying. It was a dreary, deserted 
place; more than one grave might he made there 
without much chance of detection. 


176 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


In a few minutes she had reached the hillside 
and was among the great boulders. She passed 
between the same ones where Mr. Gragg had dis- 
appeared but found so many set here and there 
that to follow his trail was impossible unless 
chance led her aright. 

There were no paths, for a rubble of small 
stones covered the ground everywhere. Between 
some of the huge rocks the passage was so nar- 
row she could scarcely squeeze through; between 
others there was ample space for two people to 
walk abreast. The girl paused frequently to 
listen, taking care the while to make no sound 
herself, but an intense silence pervaded the place. 

After wandering here and there for a time 
without result she had started to return to the 
entrance of this labyrinth when her ears for the 
first time caught a sound — a peculiar grinding, 
thumping sound that came from beneath her feet 
seemingly, and was of so unusual a character that 
she was puzzled to explain its cause. 

The shadows cast by the towering rocks ren- 
dered this place quite dark, so Josie crouched in 
the deepest shade she could find and listened 
carefully to the strange sound, trying to deter- 
mine its origin. It was surely under ground — a 


A CLEW AT LAST 


177 


little to the right of her — perhaps beneath the 
hillside, which slanted abruptly from this spot. 
She decided there must be some secret passage 
that led to a cave under the hill. Such a cave 
might be either natural or artificial ; . in either 
case she was sure old Cragg used it as a rendez- 
vous or workshop and visited it stealthily on his 

wakeful nights. 

Having located the place to the best of her 
ability Josie began to consider what caused that 
regular, thumping noise, which still continued 
without intermission. 

I think it must be some sort of an engine, 
she reflected; a stamp for ore, or something of 
that sort. Still, it isn’t likely there is any steam 
or electrical power to operate the motor of so 
big a machine. It might be a die stamp, though, 
operated by foot power, or — this is most likely — 
a foot-power printing press. Well, if a die stamp 
or a printing press, I believe the mystery of Old 
Swallowtail’s ‘ business ’ is readily explained.” 

She sat still there, crouching between the rocks, 
for more than two hours before the sound of the 
machine finally ceased. Another hour passed in 
absolute silence. She ventured to flash her 
pocket searchlight upon the dial of her watch and 


178 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


found it was nearly four o^clock. Dawn would 
come, presently, and then her situation would be 
more precarious than ever. 

While she thus reflected the sound of footsteps 
reached her ears — very near to her, indeed — 
and a voice muttered: 

Come this way. Have you forgotten? ’’ 

<< Forgotten? I found the place, didn't II " 
was the surly reply. 

Then there passed her, so closely that she could 
have touched them, three dim forms. She 
watched them go and promptly followed, taking 
the chance of discovery if they looked behind. 
They were w’holly unconscious of her presence, 
however, and soon made their way out into the 
open. There they paused, and Josie, hiding 
behind a high rock, could both see and hear them 
plainly. 

One was old Cragg; another a tall, thin man 
with a monocle in his left eye ; the third, she found 
to her surprise, was none other than Jim Ben- 
nett the postman. The tall man held in his 
arms a heavy bundle, securely wrapped. 

“ You'll surely get them off to-morrow? " 
said Cragg to him. 

“ Of course," was the answer. You may be 


A CLEW AT LAST 


179 


certain I’ll not have them on my hands longer 
than is necessary.” 

Do you mean to play square, this time? ” 

Don’t be a fool,” said the tall man impa- 
tiently. Your infernal suspicions have caused 
trouble enough, during the past year. Hidden 
like a crab in your shell, you think everything on 
the outside is going wrong. Can’t you realize, 
Cragg, that I must be loyal to C. I. L.? There’s 
no question of my playing square; I’ve got to.” 

‘‘ That’s right, sir,” broke in Jim Bennett. 
“ Seems to me he’s explained everything in a 
satisfactory manner — as far as anyone coudd 
explain.” 

Then good night,” said Cragg, gruffly, 
“ and — good luck.” 

“ Good night,” growled the tall man in return 
and made off in the direction of the automobile, 
carrying the package with him. The other two 
stood silently watching him until he reached the 
car, took his seat and started the motor. Pres- 
ently the machine passed out of sight and then 
Bennett said in a tone of deepest respect: 

Good night. Chief. This meeting was a great 
thing for C. I. L. It brings us all nearer to final 


success. 


180 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


I wish I could trust replied Cragg, 

doubtfully. ‘‘ Good night, Jim.’’ 

The postman made off in another direction and 
the old man waited until he had fully disappeared 
before he walked away over the stones himself. 
Josie let him go. She did not care to follow 
him home. Weary though she was from her 
long vigil she determined to examine the rocks 
by daylight before she left the place. 

The sun was just showing its rim over the hills 
when she quitted Hezekiah Gragg’s five acres of 
stones and took the lane to the highway. But 
her step was elastic, her eyes bright, her face 
smiling. 

I’ve found the entrance, though I couldn’t 
break in,” she proudly murmured. But a little 
dynamite — or perhaps a few blows of an axe — 
will soon remove the barrier. This affair, how- 
ever, is now too big and too serious for me to 
handle alone. I must have help. I think it will 
amaze dear old Dad to know what I’ve stumbled 
on this night! ” 


CHAPTER XVm 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 

Mary Louise entered her friend ^s room at 
seven o’clock and exclaimed: ‘‘ Not up yet? ” 

Josie raised her head drowsily from the pillow. 

‘ ‘ Let me sleep till noon, ’ ’ she pleaded. ‘ ^ I Ve 
been out all night.” 

“ And did you learn anything? ” was the eager 
question. 

Please let me sleep! ” 

‘ ‘ Shall I send you up some breakfast, Josie ? ’ ’ 
Breakfast? Bah! ” 

She rolled over, drawing the clothes about her, 
and Mary Louise softly left the darkened room 
and went down to breakfast. 

‘‘ Gran ’pa Jim,” said she, thoughtfully butter- 
ing her toast, “ do you think it’s right for Josie 
to be wandering around in the dead of night? ” 

He gave her an odd look and smiled. 

‘‘ If I remember aright, it was one Miss Mary 
Louise Burrows who thrust Josie into this vortex 
of mystery.” 


181 


382 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘You didn^t answer my question, Gran ’pa 
Jim.” 

“ I can imagine no harm, to girl or man, in 
being abroad in this peaceful country at night, 
if one has the nerve to undertake it. You and 
I, dear, prefer our beds. Josie is wrapped up 
in the science of criminal investigation and has 
the enthusiasm of youth to egg her on. More- 
over, she is sensible enough to know what is best 
for her. I do not think we need worry over her 
nightly wanderings, which doubtless have an 
object. Has she made any important discovery 
as yet! ” 

“ I believe not,” said Mary Louise. “ She has 
learned enough to be positive that old Mr. Gragg 
is engaged in some secret occupation of an 
illegal character, but so far she is unable to 
determine what it is. He’s a very queer old man, 
it seems, but shrewd and clever enough to keep 
his secret to himself.” 

** And how about the disappearance of Mr. 
Joselyn? ” 

‘‘We’re divided in opinion about that,” said 
the girl. “ Ingua and I both believe Mr. Gragg 
murdered him, but Josie isn’t sure of it If he 
did, however, Josie thinks we will find the poor 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 


183 


man’s grave somewhere under the stones of the 
river bed. There was no grave dug on our 
grounds, that is certain.” 

Colonel Hathaway regarded her seriously. 

‘‘I am sorry, Mary Louise,” he remarked, 
‘‘ that we ever decided to mix in this affair. I 
did not realize, when first you proposed having 
Josie here, that the thing might become so 
tragic. ’ ’ 

It has developed under investigation, you 
see,” she replied. But I am not very sure of 
Josie ’s ability, because she is not very sure of it 
herself. She dare not, even yet, advance a posi- 
tive opinion. Unless she learned something last 
night she is still groping in the dark.” 

“ We must give her time,” said the Colonel. 

“We have accomplished some good, however,” 
continued the girl. “ Ingua is much happier and 
more content She is improving in her speech 
and manners and is growing ambitious to become 
a respectable and refined young lady. She 
doesn’t often give way to temper, as she used to 
do on every occasion, and I am sure if she could 
be removed from her grandfather’s evil influence 
she would soon develop in a way to surprise us 
all.” 


184 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Does her grandfather’s influence seem to be 
evil, then? ” asked the Colonel. 

He has surrounded her with privations, if 
not with actual want,” said she. ‘‘ Only the 
night before last he was in such a violent rage 
that he tried to smash everything in the house. 
That is surely an evil example to set before the 
child, who has a temper of her own, perhaps 
inherited from him. He has, however, bought her 
a new dress — the first one she has had in more 
than a year — so perhaps the old man at times 
relents toward his granddaughter and tries to 
atone for his shortcomings.” 

Gran ’pa Jim was thoughtful for a time. 

Perhaps,” he presently remarked, Mr. 
Cragg has but little money to buy dresses with. 
I do not imagine that a man so well educated as 
you report him to be would prefer to live in a 
hovel, if he could afford anything better.” 

” If he is now poor, what has he done with 
all his money! ” demanded Mary Louise. 

That is a part of the mystery, isn’t it! Do 
you know, my dear, I can’t help having a kindly 
thought for this poor man; perhaps because he 
is a grandfather and has a granddaughter — just 
as I have.” 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 


185 


‘‘ He doesn’t treat her in the same way, 
Gran ’pa Jim,” said she, with a loving look toward 
the handsome old Colonel. 

‘ ‘ And there is a perceptible difference between 
Ingua and Mary Louise,” he added with a smile. 

They were to have Ingua ’s dress fitted by Miss 
Huckins that morning, and as Josie was fast 
asleep Mary Louise went across to the cottage 
to go with the girl on her errand. To her sur- 
prise she found old Mr. Cragg sitting upon his 
little front porch, quite motionless and with his 
arms folded across his chest. He stared straight 
ahead and was evidently in deep thought. This 
was odd, because he was usually at his office an 
hour or more before this time. 

Mary Louise hesitated whether to advance or 
retreat. She had never as yet come into personal 
contact with Ingua ’s grandfather and, suspecting 
him of many crimes, she shrank from meeting 
him now. But she was herself in plain sight 
before she discovered his presence and it would 
be fully as embarrassing to run away as to face 
him boldly. Moreover, through the open doorway 
she could see Ingua passing back and forth in 
the kitchen, engaged in her customary housework. 
So on she came. 


186 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Mr. Cragg had not seemed to observe her, at 
first, but as she now approached the porch he 
rose from his chair and bowed with a courtly 
grace that astonished her. In many ways his 
dignified manners seemed to fit his colonial 
costume. 

‘‘ You will find Ingua inside, I believe, he 
said. 

‘‘I — I am Mary Louise Burrows.’’ 

Again he bowed. 

‘‘ I am glad to meet you. Miss Burrows. And 
I am glad that you and Ingua are getting 
acquainted,” he rejoined, in even, well modulated 
tones. ‘ ‘ She has not many friends and her asso- 
ciation with you will be sure to benefit her.” 

Mary Louise was so amazed that she fairly 
gasped. 

I — I like Ingua,” she said. We’re going 
into town to have her new dress tried on this 
morning. ’ ’ 

He nodded and resumed his chair. His unex- 
pected politeness gave her courage. 

“It’s going to be a pretty dress,” she con- 
tinued, “ and, if only she had a new hat to go 
with it, Ingua would have a nice outfit. She 
needs new shoes, though,” as an afterthought, 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 187 

‘ ‘ and perhaps a few other little things — like 
stockings and underwear. ^ ’ 

He was silent, wholly unresponsive to her 
suggestion. 

“I — ^I’d like to buy them for her myself, 
went on the girl, in a wistful tone, only Ingua 
is so proud that she won’t accept gifts from 
me.” 

Still he remained silent. 

‘‘ I wonder,” she said, with obvious hesitation, 

if you would allow me to give you the things, 
sir, and then you give them to Ingua, as if they 
came from yourself.” 

No! ” It was a veritable explosion, so fierce 
that she started back in terror. Then he rose 
from his chair, abruptly quitted the porch and 
walked down the path toward the bridge in his 
accustomed deliberate, dignified manner. 

Ingua, overhearing his ejaculation, came to the 
open window to see what had caused it. 

‘‘ Oh, it’s you, Mary Louise, is it? ” she 
exclaimed. ‘‘ Thank goodness, you’ve drove 
Gran ’dad off to the office. I thought he’d planted 
himself in that chair for the whole day.” 

“ Are you ready to go to Miss Huckins’? ” 
asked Mary Louise. 


188 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


I will be, in a few minutes. Gran ’dad was 
late gett’n’ up this mornin’ and that put things 
back. He had the ^ wakes ’ ag’in last night.” 
‘‘Oh; did he walk out, then? ” 

“ Got back at about daylight and went to bed. 
That’s why he slep’ so late.” 

Mary Louise reflected that in such a case Josie 
ought to have some news to tell her. She 
answered Ingua’s inquiries after Josie by saying 
she was engaged this morning and would not go 
to town with them, so presently the two girls 
set off together. Mary Louise was much better 
qualified to direct the making of the new dress 
than was Josie, and she gave Miss Huckins some 
hints on modem attire that somewhat astonished 
the country dressmaker but were gratefully 
received. There was no question but that Mary 
Louise was stylishly, if simply, dressed on all 
occasions, and so Miss Huckins was glad to 
follow the young girl’s advice.. 

They were in the dressmaker’s shop a long 
time, fitting and planning, and when at length 
they came down the stairs they saw Sol Jerrems 
standing in his door and closely scrutinizing 
through his big horn spectacles something he 
held in his hand. As Mary Louise wished to 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 


189 


make a slight purchase at the store she 
approached the proprietor, who said in a puzzled 
tone of voice: 

‘‘ I dunno what t’ say to you folks, ’cause I’m 
up in the air. This money may be genooine, but 
it looks to me like a counterfeit,” and he held up 
a new ten-dollar bill. 

I want a roll of tape, please,” said Mary 
Louise. I hope your money is good, Mr. 
Jerrems, hut its value cannot interest us.” 

‘‘ I dunno ’bout that,” he replied, looking hard 
at Ingua. ^‘01’ Swallertail gimme this bill, not 
ten minutes ago, an’ said as his gran ’darter was 
to buy whatever she liked, as fur as the money 
would go. That order was so queer that it made 
me suspicious. See here: a few days ago ol’ 
Cragg bought Ingua a dress — an’ paid for it, 
by gum! — an’ now he wants her t’ git ten 
dollars’ wuth o’ shoes an’ things! Don’t that 
look mighty strange? ” 

<< Why? ” asked Mary Louise. 

’Cause it’s the first money he’s spent on the 
kid since I kin remember, an’ he’s alius talkin’ 
poverty an’ says how he’ll die in the poorhouse 
if prices keep goin’ up, as they hev durin’ the 
furrin war that’s now hummin’ acrost the water. 


190 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


If he ^8 that poor, an’ on a sudden springs a ten- 
dollar bill on me for fixin’s fer his kid, there’s 
sure somethin’ wrong somewhere. I got stuck 
on a bill jus’ like this a year ago, an’ I ain’t 
goin’ to let any goods go till I find out for sure 
whether it’s real money or not.” 

When can you find out! ” inquired Mary 
Louise. 

To-morrer there’s a drummer due here f’m 
the city — a feller keen as a razor — ^who ’ll know 
in a minute if the bill is a counterfeit. If he 
says it’s good, then Ingua kin trade it out, but I 
ain’t goin’ to take no chances.” 

Ingua came close to the storekeeper, her face 
dark with passion. 

Come,” said Mary Louise, taking the child’s 
arm, let us go home. I am sure Mr. Jerrems 
is over particular and that the money is all right. 
But we can wait until to-morrow, easily. Come, 
Ingua.” 

The child went reluctantly, much preferring to 
vent her indignation on old Sol. Mary Louise 
tried to get her mind off the insult. 

We’ll have the things, all right, Ingua,” she 
said. ‘‘ Wasn’t it splendid in your grandfather 
to be so generous, when he has so little money to 


DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS 


191 


spend? And the ten % dollars will fit you up 
famously. I wish, though,’’ she added, “ there 
was another or a better store at the Crossing at 
which to trade.” 

“ Well, there ain’t,” observed Ingua, “ so we 
hev to put up with that Sol Jerrems. When I tell 
Gran ’dad about this business I bet he’ll punch 
Sol Jerrems’ nose.” 

‘‘ Don’t tell him,” advised Mary Louise. 

“ Why not? ” 

“ I think he gave this money to Mr. Jerrems 
on a sudden impulse. Perhaps, if there is any 
question about its being genuine, he will take it 
back, and you will lose the value of it. Better 
wait until to-morrow, when of course the drum- 
mer will pronounce it all right. My opinion is 
that Mr. Jerrems is so unused to new ten dollar 
bills that having one makes him unjustly 
suspicious.” 

I guess yer right,” said Ingua more cheer- 
fully. “ It’s amazin’ that Gran ’dad loosened up 
at all. An’ he might repent, like you say, an’ 
take the money back. So I’ll be like ol’ Sol — 
I’ll take no chances.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


GOOD MONEY FOB BAD 

At luncheon Josie appeared at the table, fresh 
as ever, and Mary Louise began to relate to her 
and to her grandfather the occurrences of the 
morning. When she came to tell how Sol Jer- 
rems had declared the money counterfeit, Josie 
suddenly sprang up and swung her napkin 
around her head, shouting gleefully: 

Glory hallelujah! IVe got him. I’ve trapped 
Old Swallowtail at last.” 

They looked at her in amazement. 

What do you mean? ” asked Mary Louise. 

Josie sobered instantly. 

Forgive me,” she said; ‘‘I’m ashamed of 
myself. Go on with the story. What became of 
that counterfeit bill? ” 

“ Mr. Jerrems has it yet. He is keeping it 
to show to a commercial traveler, who is to visit 
his store to-morrow. If the man declares the 
money is good, then Ingua may buy her things. ’ ’ 

“We won’t bother the commercial traveler,” 

192 


GOOD MONEY FOR BAD 


193 


said Josie, in a tone of relief. ‘‘I’m going 
straight down to the store to redeem that bill. 
I want it in my possession.” 

Colonel Hathaway regarded her gravely. 

“ I think our female detective, having said so 
much and having exhibited such remarkable ela- 
tion, must now explain her discoveries to us more 
fully,” said he. 

“ I’d rather not, just yet,” protested Josie. 
“ But what have I said in my madness, and 
what did my words imply? ” 

“ From the little I know of this case,” replied 
the Colonel, “ I must judge that you believe Mr. 
Cragg to be a counterfeiter, and that his mysteri- 
ous business is — to counterfeit. In this out- 
of-the-way place,” he continued, thoughtfully, 
“ such a venture might be carried on for a long 
time without detection. Yet there is one thing 
that to me forbids this theory.” 

“ What is that, sir? ” 

“ A counterfeiter must of necessity have con- 
federates, and Mr. Cragg seems quite alone in 
the conduct of his mysterious business.” 

Josie smiled quite contentedly. Confederates? 
Last night’s discoveries had proved that Old 
Swallowtail had two of these, at least. 


194 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Please don’t lisp a word of this suspicion 
at present,” she warned her friends. “ If I am 
right — and I have no doubt of that — we are 
about to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy to 
defraud the Government. But the slightest hint 
of danger would enable them to escape and I 
want the credit of putting this gang of des- 
peradoes behind the bars. Really, I’d no idea, 
when I began the investigation, that it would lead 
to anything so important. I thought, at first, it 
might be a simple murder case ; simple, because 
the commonest people commit murder, and to the 
detective the deed is more revolting than exciting. 
But we may dismiss the murder suspicion 
entirely.” 

Oh, indeed! What about Ned Joselyn’s 
mysterious disappearance? ” asked Mary Louise. 

Joselyn? He disappeared for a purpose,” 
answered Josie. “I saw him last night — 
monocle and all — acting as old Gragg’s con- 
federate. Ned Joselyn is one of those I hope 
to land in prison.” 

Her hearers seemed quite bewildered by this 
positive statement. 

Where were you last night? ” inquired Mary 
Louise. 


GOOD MONEY FOR BAD 


195 


‘‘ At that five acres of stones we once visited, 
which is lir. Gragg ^s private property. Hidden 
somewhere in the hillside is a cavern, and in 
that cavern the counterfeit money is made. I 
have heard the printing-press turning it out in 
quantity; I saw Ned Joselyn come away with a 
package of the manufactured bills and heard Old 
Swallowtail implore him to ‘ play square ’ with 
the proceeds. There was another of the gang 
present, also ; a man whom I had considered quite 
an innocent citizen of Gragg’s Grossing until I 
discovered him with the others. I think it was 
he who operated the press. It has been a very 
pretty plot, a cleverly conducted plot; and it 
has been in successful operation for years. But 
the gang is in the toils, just now, and little red- 
headed Josie O’Gorman is going to score a 
victory that will please her detective daddy 
mightily.^’ Josie was surely elated when she 
ventured to boast in this manner. The others 
were duly impressed. 

‘‘You don’t mean to arrest those men alone, 
do you, Josief ” asked the Golonel somewhat 
anxiously. 

“ No, indeed. I’m not yet quite ready to 
spring my trap,” she replied. “ When the time 


196 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

comes, I must have assistance, but I want to get 
all my evidence shipshape before I call on the 
Secret Service to make the capture. I can’t afford 
to bungle so important a thing, you know, and 
this ten dollar bill, so carelessly given the store- 
keeper, is going to put one powerful bit of evi- 
dence in my hands. That was a bad slip on old 
Gragg’s part, for he has been very cautious in 
covering his tracks, until now. But I surmise 
that Mary Louise’s pleading for Ingua, this 
morning, touched his pride, and having no real 
money at hand he ventured to give the store- 
keeper a counterfeit. And old Sol, having been 
caught by a counterfeit once before — I wonder 
if Old Swallowtail gave him that one, too? — 
became suspicious of the newness of the bill and 
so played directly into our hands. So now, if 
you’ll excuse me. I’ll run to town without further 
delay. I won’t rest easy until that bill is in my 
possession.” 

I’ll go with you,” said Mary Louise eagerly. 

Half an hour later the two girls entered the 
store and found the proprietor alone. Mary 
Louise made a slight purchase, as an excuse, 
and then Josie laid ten silver dollars on the 
counter and said carelessly: 


GOOD MONEY FOR BAD 


197 


Will you give me a ten dollar bill for this 
silver, Mr. Jerrems? I want to send it away 
in a letter.’’ 

Sure; I’d ruther hev the change than the 
bill,” he answered, taking out his wallet. But 
I wouldn’t send so much money in a letter, if I 
was you. Better buy a post-office order.” 

‘‘ I know my business,” she pertly replied, 
watching him unroll the leather wallet. No; 
don’t give me that old bill. I’d rather have the 
new one on top.” 

That new one,” said he, ‘‘I don’t b’lieve is 
good. Looks like a counterfeit, to me.” 

‘‘ Let’s see it,” proposed Josie, taking the bill 
in her hand and scrutinizing it. I can tell a 
counterfeit a mile away. No; this is all right; 
I’ll take it,” she decided. 

Yer like to git stung, if ye do,” he warned 

her. 

‘‘ I’ll take my chances,” said Josie, folding the 
bill and putting it in her purse. ‘‘You’ve got 
good money for it, anyhow, so you’ve no kick 
coming, that I can see.” 

“ Why, that must be the bill Mr. Cragg gave 
you,” Mary Louise said to the storekeeper, as 
if she had just recognized it. 


198 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ It is,’’ admitted Sol. 

“ Then Ingua can now buy her outfit! ” 

‘‘ Any time she likes,” he said. But I want 
it reg’lar understood that the sewin’-girl can’t 
bring the money back to me, if she finds it bad. 
I ain’t sure it’s bad, ye know, but I’ve warned 
her, an’ now it’s her look-out.” 

Of course it is,” agreed Josie. But don’t 
worry. The bill is good as gold. I wish I had 
a hundred like it.” 

On their way home Josie stopped to call on 
Ingua, while Mary Louise, at her friend’s 
request, went on. 

‘‘I’ve two important things to tell you,” Josie 
announced to the child. “ One is that you 
needn’t worry any more about Ned Joselyn’s 
being dead. A girl whom I know well has lately 
seen him alive and in good health, so whatever 
your grandfather’s crimes may have been he is 
not a murderer.” 

Ingua was astounded. After a moment she 
gasped out: 

“ How d’ye know! Who was the girl! Are 
ye sure it were Ned Joselyn! ” 

“ Quite sure. He has probably been in hiding, 
for some reason. But you mustn’t tell a soul 


GOOD MONEY FOR BAD 


199 


about this, Ingua; especially your grandfather. 
It is part of the secret between us, and that’s 
the reason I have told you.” 

Ingua still stared as if bewildered. 

Who was the girl? ” she whispered. 

I can’t tell you her name, but you may 
depend upon the truth of her statement, just 
the same.” 

“ And she’s sure it were Ned Joselyn she 
saw? ” 

Isn’t he tfiU and thin, with a light moustache 
and curly hair, and doesn’t he wear a glass in 
one eye? ” 

With a string to it; yes! That’s him, sure 
enough. Where ’d she see him? ” 

“ Don’t ask me questions. It’s a part of the 
girl’s secret, you know. She let me tell you 
this much, so that you wouldn’t worry any longer 
over the horror of that winter night when your 
grandfather went to the Kenton house and 
Joselyn disappeared. I think, Ingua, that the 
man is crooked, and mixed up with a lot of 
scoundrels who ought to be in jail.” 

Ingua nodded her head. 

Gran ’dad told him he was crooked,” sue 
affirmed. ** I don’t say as Gran ’dad is a saint. 


200 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Josie, but be ain^t crooked, like Ned — ye kin 
bank on that — ’cause he’s a Gragg, an’ the 
Graggs is square-toes even when they’re 
vill’ins.” 

Josie smiled at this quaint speech. She was 
sorry for poor Ingua, whose stalwart belief in 
the Gragg honesty was doomed to utter annihila- 
tion when her grandsire was proved to have 
defrauded the Government by making counterfeit 
money. But this was no time to undeceive the 
child, so she said: 

‘‘ The other bit of news is that Sol Jerrems 
has traded the bill which he thought was bad 
for good money, so you can buy your things 
any time you please.” 

Then it wasn’t counterfeit! ” 

I saw it myself. I’ve lived in the city so 
long that no one can fool me with counterfeit 
money. I can tell it in two looks, Ingua. So 
I’d rather have a nice new bill than ten clumsy 
silver dollars and I made the trade myself.” 
Where ’d ye get so much money, Josie! ” 

My wages. I don’t do much work, but I get 
paid regularly once a week. ’ ’ 

She didn’t explain that her father made her 
a weekly allowance, but Ingua was satisfied. 


GOOD MONEY FOR BAD 201 

‘‘ What do you think I or ter buy with that 
money, Josie? I need so many things that it’s 
hard to tell where to begin and where to leave 
off.” 

Let’s make a list, then, and figure it out.” 

This occupied them some time and proved a 
very fascinating occupation to the poor girl, who 
had never before had so much money to spend 
at one time. 

^ ‘ I owe it all to Mary Louise, ’ ’ she said grate- 
fully, as Josie rose to depart. It seems like 
no one can refuse Mary Louise anything. When 
she asked me to be more careful in my speech 
didn’t I do better! I slips, now an’ then, but 
I’m always try in’. And she tackled Gran ’dad. 
If you or me — or I — had asked Gran’dad for 
that money, Josie, we’d never ’a’ got it in a 
thousan’ years. Why do you s’pose Mary Louise 
gits into people the way she does! ” 

It’s personality, I suppose,” answered Josie, 
thoughtfully. And then, realizing that Ingua 
might not understand that remark, she added; 
‘‘ There’s no sham about Mary Louise; she’s so 
simple and sweet that she wins hearts without 
any effort. You and I have natures so positive, 
on the contrary, that we seem always on the 


202 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


aggressive, and that makes folks hold aloof from 
us, or even oppose us/^ 

‘‘ I wish I was like Mary Louise,*' said Ingua 
with a sigh. 

I don't," declared Josie. We can't all be 
alike, you know, and I'd rather push ahead, and 
get a few knocks on the way, then have a clear 
path and no opposition." 


CHAPTER XX 


AIT UNEXPECTED APPEAKANCE 

For a week it was very quiet at Cragg’s 
Crossing. The only ripple of excitement was 
caused by the purchase of Ingua’s new outfit. In 
this the child was ably assisted by Mary Louise 
and Josie; indeed, finding the younger girl so 
ignorant of prices, and even of her own needs, 
the two elder ones entered into a conspiracy with 
old Sol and slyly added another ten dollars to 
Ingua’s credit. The result was that she carried 
home not only shoes and a new hat — trimmed by 
Miss Huckins without cost, the material being 
furnished from the fund — but a liberal supply 
of underwear, ribbons, collars and hosiery, and 
even a pair of silk gloves, which delighted the 
child ^s heart more than anything else. 

Miss Huckins’ new dress proved very pretty 
and becoming, and with all her wealth of apparel 
Ingua was persuaded to dine with Mary Louise at 
the Kenton house on Saturday evening. The 
hour was set for seven o’clock, in order to allow 

203 


204 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


the girl to prepare her grandfather’s supper 
before going out, and the first intimation Old 
Swallowtail had of the arrangement was when he 
entered the house Saturday evening and found 
Ingua arrayed in all her finery. 

He made no remark at first, but looked at her 
more than once — whether approvingly or not 
his stolid expression did not betray. When the 
girl did not sit down to the table and he observed 
she had set no place for herself, he suddenly 
said : 

Well? ” 

‘‘I’m goin’ to eat with the Hathaways 
to-night,” she replied. “ Their dinner ain’t 
ready till seven o’clock, so if ye hurry a little I 
kin wash the dishes afore I go.” 

He offered no objection. Indeed, he said noth- 
ing at all until he had finished his simple meal. 
Then, as she cleared the table, he said: 

“ It might be well, while you are in the society 
of Mary Louise and Colonel Hathaway, to notice 
their method of speech and try to imitate it.” 

“ What’s wrong with my talk? ” she demanded. 
She was annoyed at the suggestion, because she 
had been earnestly trying to imitate Mary 
Louise’s speech. 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE 


205 


I will leave you to make tlie discovery your- 
self/’ lie said dryly. 

She tossed her dishes into the hot water rather 
recklessly. 

If I orter talk ditf ’rent,” said she, it’s your 
fault. Ye hain’t give me no schoolin’, ner 
noth’n’. Ye don’t even say six words a week to 
me. I’m just your slave, to make yer bed an’ 
cook yer meals an’ wash yer dishes. Gee! bow’d 
ye s’pose I’d talk! Like a lady! ” 

I think,” he quietly responded, you picked 
up your slang from your mother, who, however, 
had some education. The education ruined her 
for the quiet life here and she plunged into the 
world to get the excitement she craved. Hasn’t 
she been sorry for it many times, Ingua! ” 

I don’t know much ’bout Harm, an’ I don’t 
care whether she’s sorry or not. But I do know 
I need an eddication. If Mary Louise hadn’t had 
no eddication she’d ’a’ been just like me: a bit o’ 
junk on a scrap-heap, that ain’t no good to itself 
ner anybody else.” 

He mused silently for a while, getting up fin- 
ally and walking over to the door. 

Your peculiarities of expression,” he then 
remarked, as if more to himself than to the child. 


206 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ are those we notice in Sol Jerrems and Joe 
Brennan and Mary Ann Hopper. They are 
characteristic of the rural population, which, 
having no spur to improve its vocabulary, natur- 
ally grows degenerate in speech.’^ 

She glanced at him half defiantly, not sure 
whether he was ‘‘ pokin’ fun at her ” or not. 

If you mean I talks country talk,” said she, 
‘‘ you’re right. Why shouldn’t I, with no one 
to tell me better? ” 

Again he mused. His mood was gentle this 
evening. 

‘‘ I realize I have neglected you,” he presently 
said. “ You were thrust upon me like a stray 
kitten, which one does not want but cannot well 
reject. Your mother has not supplied me with 
money for your education, although she has regu- 
larly paid for your keep.” 

She has? ” cried Ingua, astounded. ‘‘ Then 
you’ve swindled her an’ me both, for I pays for 
more’n my keep in hard work. My keep? For 
the love o’ Mike, what does my keep amount to? 
A cent a year? ” 

He winced a little at her sarcasm but soon 
collected himself. Strangely enough, he did not 
appear to be angry with her. 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEAEANCE 207 

IVe neglected you,’’ he repeated, but it 
has been an oversight. I have had so much on 
my mind that I scarcely realized you were here. 
I forgot yon are Nan’s child and that you — you 
needed attention.” 

Ingua put on her new hat, looking into a 
cracked mirror. 

Ye might ’a’ remembered I’m a Cragg, any- 
how,” said she, mollified by his tone of self 
reproach, An’ ye might ’a’ remembered as 
youWe a Cragg. The Graggs orter help each 
other, ’cause all the world’s ag’in ’em.” 

He gave her an odd look, in which pride, per- 
plexity and astonishment mingled. 

And you are going into the enemy’s camp 
to-night? ” 

Oh, Mary Louise is all right. She ain’t like 
them other snippy girls that sometimes comes 
here to the big houses. She don’t care if I am a 
Cragg, or if I talks country. I like Mary Louise. ’ ’ 

When she had gone the old man sat in deep 
thought for a long time. The summer evening 
cast shadows; twilight fell; darkness gradually 
shrouded the bare little room. Still he sat in his 
chair, staring straight ahead into the gloom and 
thinking. 


20a MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Then the door opened. Shifting his eyes he 
discovered a dim shadow in the opening. Who- 
ever it was stood motionless until a low, clear 
voice asked sharply: 

Anybody home? ’’ 

He got up, then, and shuffled to a shelf, where 
he felt for a kerosene lamp and lighted it. 

Come in. Nan,’’ he said without turning 
around, as he stooped over the lamp and adjusted 
the wick. 

The yellow light showed a young woman stand- 
ing in the doorway, a woman of perhaps thirty- 
five. She was tall, erect, her features well 
formed, her eyes bright and searching. Her 
walking-suit was neat and modish and fitted well 
her graceful, rounded form. On her arm was 
a huge basket, which she placed upon a chair 
as she advanced into the room and closed the 
door behind her. 

‘‘ So you’ve come back,” remarked Old 
Swallowtail, standing before her and regarding 
her critically. 

“A self-evident fact. Dad,” she answered 
lightly, removing her hat. Where’s Ingua? ” 
At a dinner party across the river.” 

That’s good. Is she well? ” 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE 209 

“ What do you care, Nan, whether she is well 
or not? 

If she’s at a dinner party I needn’t worry. 
Forgive the foolish question. Dad. Brennan 
promised to bring my suit case over in the 
morning. I lugged the basket myself.” 

What’s in the basket? ” 

Food. Unless you’ve changed your mode of 
living the cupboard’s pretty bare, and this is 
Saturday night. I can sleep on that heart- 
breaking husk mattress with Ingua, but I’ll be 
skinned if I eat your salt junk and com pone. 
Forewarned is forearmed; I brought my own 
gmb. ’ ’ 

As she spoke she hung her hat and coat on 
some pegs, turned the lamp a little higher and 
then, pausing with hands on hips, she looked 
inquisitively at her father. 

You seem pretty husky, for your age,” she 
continued, with a hard little laugh. 

You’ve been prospering. Nan,” 

Yes,” sitting in a chair and crossing her 
legs, I’ve found my forte at last. For three 
years, nearly, I’ve been employed by the Secret 
Service Department at Washington.” 

‘‘Ah.” 


210 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


IVe made good. My record as a woman 
sleuth is excellent. I make more money in a 
week — when I’m working — than you do in a 
year. Unless — ” She paused abruptly and gave 
him a queer look. 

Unless it’s true that you’re coining money 
in a way that’s not legal.” 

He stood motionless before her, reading her 
face. She returned his scrutiny with interest. 
Neither resumed the conversation for a time. 
Finally the old man sank back into his chair. 

‘‘ A female detective,” said he, a little bitterly, 

is still — a female.” 

‘ ‘ And likewise a detective. I know more about 
you, Dad, than you think,” she asserted, in an 
easy, composed tone that it seemed impossible to 
disturb. You need looking after, just at this 
juncture, and as I’ve been granted a vacation 
I ran up here to look after you.” 

In what way. Nan? ” 

‘‘We’ll talk that over later. There isn’t much 
love lost between us, more’s the pity. You’ve 
always thought more of your infernal ‘ Cause ’ 
than of your daughter. But we’re Craggs, both 
of us, and it’s the Cragg custom to stand by the 
family.” 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE 


211 


It struck Mm as curious that Ingua had 
repeated almost those very words earlier that 
same evening. He had never taught them the 
Cragg motto, Stand Fast,^^ that he could 
remember, yet both Nan and her child were loyal 
to the code. Was he loyal, too? Had he stood 
by Nan in the past, and Ingua in the present, as 
a Cragg should do? 

His face was a bit haggard as he sat in his 
chair and faced Ms frank-spoken daughter, whose 
clear eyes did not waver before his questioning 
gaze. 

‘‘I know what you’re thinking,” said she; 

that IVe never been much of a daughter to 
you. Well, neither have you been much of a 
father to me. Ever since I was bom and my 
unknown mother — lucky soul! — died, you’ve 
been obsessed by an idea which, lofty and altru- 
istic as you may have considered it, has rendered 
you self-centered, cold and inconsiderate of your 
own flesh and blood. Then there’s that devilish 
temper of yours to contend with. I couldn’t 
stand the life here. I wandered away and good- 
ness knows how I managed to live year after 
year in a stmggle with the world, rather than 
endure your society and the hardships you thrust 


212 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


upon me. YouVe always had money, yet not a 
cent would you devote to your family. You lived 
like a dog and wanted me to do the same, and I 
wouldn’t. Finally I met a good man and married 
him. He wasn’t rich but he was generous. 
When he died I was thrown on my own resources 
again, with a child of my own to look after. 
Circumstances forced me to leave Ingua with 
you while I hunted for work. I found it. I’m 
a detective, well-known and respected in my 
profession.” 

‘‘I’m glad to know you are prosperous,” he 
said gently, as she paused. He made no excuses. 
He did not contradict her accusations. He waited 
to hear her out. 

“ So,” said Nan, in a careless, offhand tone, 
“ I’ve come here to save you. You’re in trouble.” 

“ I am not aware of it.” 

“ Very true. If you were, the danger would 
be less. I’ve always had to guess at most of 
your secret life. I knew you were sly and 
secretive. I didn’t know until now that you’ve 
been crooked.” 

He frowned a little but made no retort. 

“ It doesn’t surprise me, however,” she con- 
tinued. “ A good many folks are crooked, at 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE 


213 


times, and the only wonder is that a clever man 
like you has tripped and allowed himself to fall 
under suspicion. Suspicion leads to investiga- 
tion — when it^s followed up — and investiga- 
tion, in such cases, leads to — jail. 

He gave a low growl that sounded like the 
cry of an enraged beast, and gripped the arms 
of his chair fiercely. Then he rose and paced 
the room with frantic energy. Nan watched him 
with a half smile on her face. When he had 
finally mastered his wrath and became more quiet 
she said: 

DonT worry, Dad. I said I have come to 
save you. It will be fun, after working for the 
Government so long, to work against it. There ^s 
a certain red-headed imp in this neighborhood 
who is the daughter of our assistant chief, John 
O’Gorman. Her name is Josie O’Gorman and 
she’s in training for the same profession of 
which I’m an ornament. I won’t sneer at her, 
for she’s clever, in a way, but I’d like to show 
O’Gorman that Nan Shelley — that’s my name in 
Washington — is a little more clever than his pet. 
This Josie O’Gorman is staying with the Hath- 
away family. She’s been probing your secret 
life and business enterprises and has unearthed 


214 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


an important clew in which the department is 
bound to he interested. So she sent a code tele- 
gram to 0 ^Gorman, who left it on his desk long 
enough for me to decipher and read it. I don^t 
know what the assistant chief will do about it, 
for I left Washington an hour later and came 
straight to you. What I do know is that I’m in 
time to spike Miss Josie’s guns, which will give 
me a great deal of pleasure. She doesn’t know 
I’m your daughter, any more than O’Gorman 
does, so if the girl sees me here she’ll imagine 
I ’m on Government business. But I want to keep 
out of her way for a time. Do you know the 
girl. Dad? ” 

‘‘ Yes,” he said. 

She’s rather clever.” 

Yes.” 

I think she’d have nabbed you, presently, if 
I hadn’t taken hold of the case so promptly 
myself. With our start, and the exercise of a 
grain of intelligence, we can baffle any opposition 
the girl can bring to bear. Do you wish to run 
away? ” 

No,” he growled. 

‘‘I’m glad of that. I like the excitement of 
facing danger boldly. But there’s ample time 


AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE 215 

to talk over details. I see youVe had your 
supper, so ITl just fry myself a beefsteak. 

She opened her basket and began to prepare 
a meal. Old Swallowtail sat and watched her. 
Presently he smiled grimly and Nan never 
noticed the expression. Perhaps, had she done 
so, she would have demanded an explanation. 
He rarely smiled, and certainly his daughter’s 
disclosures were not calculated to excite mirth, 
or even to amuse. 


CHAPTER XXI 


A CASE OF NEEVES 

The hotel at the Crossing was not an 

imposing affair. Indeed, had there not been an 
office in the front room, with a wooden desk 
in one corner, six chairs and two boxes of saw- 
dust to serve as cuspidors, the building might 
easily have been mistaken for a private residence. 
But it stood on the corner opposite the store and 
had a worn and scarcely legible sign over the 
front door, calling it a hotel in capital letters. 

The Hoppers, who operated the establishment, 
did an excellent business. On week days the 
farmers who came to town to trade made it a 
point to eat one of Silas Hopper ^s twenty-five 
cent dinners, famous for at least five miles 
around for profusion and good cookery. On 
Sundays — and sometimes on other days — an 
automobile party, touring the country, would 
stop at the hotel for a meal, and Mrs. Hopper 
was accustomed to have a chicken dinner pre- 
216 


A CASE OF NERVES 


217 


pared every Sunday in the hope of attracting a 
stray tourist. There were two guest rooms 
upstairs that were religiously reserved in case 
some patron wished to stay overnight, but these 
instances were rare unless a drummer missed 
his train and couldn’t get away from the Crossing 
until the next day. 

The Sunday following the arrival of Ingua’s 
mother in town proved a dull day with the 
Hoppers, who had been compelled to eat their 
chicken dinner themselves in default of cus- 
tomers. The dishes had been washed and Mary 
Ann, the daughter of the house, was sitting on 
the front porch in her Sunday gown and a 
rocking-chair, when an automobile drove up to 
the door and a dapper little man alighted. He 
was very elaborately dressed, with silk hat, 
patent-leather shoes and a cane setting off his 
Prince Albert coat and lavender striped trousers. 
Across his white waistcoat was a heavy gold 
watch-guard with an enormous locket dangling 
from it ; he had a sparkling pin in his checkered 
neck-scarf that might be set with diamonds but 
perhaps wasn’t; on his fingers gleamed two or 
three elaborate rings. He had curly blond hair 
and a blond moustache and he wore gold-rimmed 


218 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


eyeglasses. Altogether the little man was quite 
a dandy and radiated prosperity. So, when the 
driver of the automobile handed out two heavy 
suit cases and received from the stranger a crisp 
bill for his services, Mary Ann Hopper realized 
with exultation that the hotel was to have a guest. 

As the car which had brought him rolled away 
the little man turned, observed Mary Ann, and 
removing his silk hat bowed low. 

‘‘ I presume, said he in precise accents, 
that this town is that of Gragg’s Crossing, 
and that this building is the hotel. Am I correct 
in the surmise? ” 

I’ll call Pa,” said Mary Ann, somewhat 
embarrassed. Drununers she could greet with 
unconcern, but this important individual was a 
man of a different sort. His brilliant personality 
dazzled her. 

Mr. Hopper came out in his shirtsleeves, gave 
one look at his customer and put on his coat. 

Goin’ to stay, sir? ” he asked. 

‘‘ For a time, if I like the acconunodations,” 
was the reply. I am in need of perfect quiet. 
My doctor says I must court tranquility to avoid 
a nervous breakdown. I do not know your town ; 
I do not know your hotel ; I hired a man in the 


A CASE OF NERVES 


219 


city to drive me until I came to a quiet place. 
He assured me, on the way, that this is a quiet 
place. 

I dunno him,” said Hopper, but he didn^t 
put up no bluff. If ye can find a quieter place 
ner this, outside a graveyard, 1^11 board ye fer 
nothin’.” 

‘‘ I thank you for your assurance, sir. Can 
you show me to the best room you can place at 
my disposal? ” 

‘‘ Had dinner? ” 

I thank you, yes. I am weary from the 
long ride. I will lie down for an hour. Then 
I will take my usual walk. When I return I 
would like an omelet with mushrooms — I sup- 
pose you have no truffles? — for my evening 
meal.” 

The landlord grinned and picked up the suit 
cases. 

n ^e’re jest out o’ truffles an’ we’re out o’ 
mushrooms,” he said, but we’re long on eggs 
an’ ye can have ’em omeletted or fried or b’iled, 
as it suits yer fancy. Sophie’s best hold is 
cookin’ eggs. Sophie’s my wife, ye know, an’ 
there ain’t no better cook in seven counties, so 
the drummers say.” 


220 MAEY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

As lie spoke he entered the house and led the 
way up the stairs. 

Thank you; thank you/’ said the stranger. 

I am glad your good wife is an experienced 
cook. Kindly ask her to spare no expense in 
preparing my meals. I am willing to pay liber- 
ally for what I receive.” 

‘‘ This room, with board,” remarked Hopper, 
setting down the suit cases in the front corner 
bedchamber, will cost you a dollar a day, or 
five dollars a week — if you eat our reg’lar meals. 
If ye keep callin’ fer extrys. I’ll hev to charge 
ye extry.” 

<< Very reasonable; very reasonable, indeed,” 
declared the stranger, taking a roll of bills from 
his pocket. As I am at present unknown to 
you, I beg you to accept this five-dollar bill in 
advance. And now, if you will bring me a pitcher 
of ice-water, I will take my needed siesta. My 
nerves, as you may have observed, are at some- 
what of a tension to-day.” 

<< We’re out o’ ice,” remarked the landlord, 
pocketing the money, but ye’ll find plenty of 
good cold water at the pump in the back yard. 
Anything else, sir? ” 

‘ ‘ I thank you, no. I am not thirsty. Ice-water 


A CASE OF NERVES 


221 


is not necessary to my happiness. You will 
pardon me if I ask to be left alone — with my 
nerves. ’ * 

Hopper went away chuckling. His wife and 
Mary Ann were both at the foot of the stairs, 
lying in wait to question him. 

That feller’s as good as a circus,” he 
asserted, taking oft his coat again and lighting 
his corncob pipe. He’s got nerves an’ money, 
an’ he’s come here to git rid of ’em both.” 

‘‘ Who is hel ” demanded Mrs. Hopper. 

“ By gum, I f ergot to ask him. I got thanked 
fer ev’rything I did an’ ev’rything I couldn’t do, 
an’ I’ve got five dollars o’ his money in my jeans 
as a evidence o’ good faith. The whole per- 
formance sort o’ knocked me out.” 

No wonder,” asserted his wife sym- 
pathetically. 

‘‘I’ll bet he’s some punkins, though,” 
declared Mary Ann, “an’ he’ll be a godsend to 
us after a dull week. Only, remember this, if he 
kicks on the feed he don’t git no satisfaction 
out o’ me.” 

“ I don’t think he’ll kick on anything,” said 
her father. “ He wants eggs for his supper, 
in a omelet.” 


222 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


He couldn^t want anything that’s cheaper to 
make,” said Mrs. Hopper. The hens are 
layin’ fine jus’ now.” 

When he comes down, make him register,” 
suggested Mary Ann. If ye don’t, we won’t 
know what ter call him.” 

I’ll call him an easy mark, whatever his 
name is,” said the landlord, grinning at his own 
attempt at wit. 

The stranger kept his room until five o’clock. 
Then he came down, spick and span, his cane 
under his arm, upon his hands a pair of bright 
yellow kid gloves. 

‘‘ I will now indulge in my walk,” said he, 
addressing the family group in the office. My 
nerves are better, but still vibrant. I shall be 
further restored on my return.” 

Jest sign the register,” proposed Hopper, 
pointing to a worn and soiled book spread upon 
the counter. Hate to trouble ye, but it’s one 
o’ the rules o’ my hotel.” 

‘‘ No trouble, thank you; no trouble at all,” 
responded the stranger, and drawing a fountain- 
pen from his pocket he approached the register 
and wrote upon the blank page. I hope there 
is nothing to see in your town,” he remarked. 


A CASE OF NERVES 


223 


turning away. I don’t wish to see anything, 
I merely desire to walk. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Yer wish’ll come true, I guess,” said Hopper. 
‘‘ I’ve lived here over twenty year an’ I hain’t 
seen noth’n’ yet. But the walkin’ is as good as 
it is anywhere.” 

^ ‘ Thank you. I shall return at six o ’clock — 
for the omelet,” and he walked away with short, 
mincing steps that seemed to them all very 
comical. 

Three heads at once bent over the register, on 
which the stranger had written in clear, delicate 
characters: ‘‘ Lysander Antonius Sinclair, B. N., 
Boston, Mass.” 

‘‘ I wonder what the ‘ B. N.’ stands for,” said 
Mary Ann Hopper, curiously. 

Bum Nerves, o’ course,” replied the land- 
lord. ‘‘He’s got ’em, sure enough.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


ingua’s mothek 

And how do you like your grandfather? Is 
he good to you? asked Mrs. Scammel on Sun- 
day forenoon, as she sat on the porch beside her 
small daughter. Old Swallowtail did not usually 
go to his office on Sundays, but kept his room at 
the cottage and wrote letters. To-day, however, 
he had wandered down the path and disappeared, 
and Nan and Ingua were both glad to see him go. 

‘‘ No,’’ answered the child to both questions. 

You don’t like him? ” 

‘‘ How can I, when he jes’ sets an’ glares at me 
ev’ry time he comes into the house — ’cept when 
he complains I ain’t doin’ my work proper? It 
were a sort o’ mean trick o’ yours, Marm, leavin’ 
me here to slave fer that ol’ man while you was 
otf in the cities, havin’ a good time.” 

Yes,” said Nan, I was frolicking with 
starvation until I got a job, and it was the sort 
of job that wouldn’t allow having a child around. 
But since I’ve been making money I’ve sent Dad 

224 


INGUA’S MOTHER 225 

five dollars every week, for your clothes and 
board. ’ ’ 

‘‘ You have? ’’ 

‘‘ Every week.’^ 

“ Ten cents a week would pay for all the grub 
he gives me, an’ there ain’t a beggar in the 
county that sports the rags an’ tatters I does. 
That new dress I had on las’ night was the first 
thing in clothes he’s bought me for a year, and 
I guess I wouldn’t have had that if Mary Louise 
hadn’t told him he orter dress me more decent.” 

Nan’s brow grew dark. 

‘‘ I’ll have it out with him for that,” she 
promised. What does he do with his money, 
Ingua? ” 

Salts it, I guess. I never see him have any. 
It’s one o’ the mysteries. Harm. Mysteries is 
thick aroun’ Gran ’dad, an’ folks suspicion ’most 
anything about him. All I know is that he ain’t 
no spendthrift. Once, when Ned Joselyn used 
to come here, there was lots of money passed 
between ’em. I saw it myself. I helped pick 
it up, once, when they quarreled an’ upset the 
table an’ spilled things. But since Ned run 
away Gran ’dad’s be’n more savin’ than ever.” 

Engua,” said Nan, thoughtfully, ‘‘I want 


226 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

you to tell me all you know about Ned Joselyn, 
from the time he first came here/^ 

Ingua regarded her mother with serious eyes. 

‘‘ All? ” she inquired. 

‘‘ Everything, little or big, that you can 
recollect.’^ 

‘‘ You’ll stick to Gran’dad, won’t ye? ” 

That’s what I’m here for. There are enemies 
on his trail and I mean to save him.” 

What’s he done? ” 

“I’ve got to find that out. When I was here 
before, I knew he had some secret interest to 
which he was devoted, but I was too indifferent 
to find out what it was. Now I want to know. If 
I’m going to save him from the penalties of his 
crime I must know what the crime is. I think 
this man Joselyn is mixed up with it in some way, 
so go ahead and tell me all you know about 
him.” 

Ingua obeyed. For more than an hour she 
earnestly related the story of Ned Joselyn, only 
pausing to answer an occasional question from 
her mother. Wlien she came to that final meeting 
at Christmas week and Joselyn ’s mysterious dis- 
appearance, Nan asked: 

“ Do you think he killed him? ” 


INGUA’S MOTHER 


227 


‘‘ I was pretty sure of it till yest’day, when 
Josie told me a friend of hers had seen him alive 
an’ well.” 

Josie O’Gorman? ” 

No, Josie Jessnp. She’s the sewin’-girl over 
to Mary Lonise’s.” 

I know; but that girl has more names than 
one. Do you know her very well, Ingua? ” 

She’s my best chum,” declared the child. 
‘‘ Josie ’s a dandy girl, an’ I like her.” 

‘‘ Have you told her anything about your 
gran ’dad? ” 

‘‘ A little,” Ingua admitted, hesitating. 

See here,” said Nan, scowling, ‘‘I’ll put you 
wise. This red-headed Josie O’Gorman is a 
detective. She’s the daughter of the man I work 
for in Washington — the assistant chief of the 
Department — and she is here to try to land 
your gran ’dad in jail. What’s more, Ingua, she’s 
likely to do it, unless you and I find a way to 
head her off.” 

Ingua ’s face depicted astonishment, grief, dis- 
appointment. Finally she said: 

“ Gran ’dad didn’t murder Ned, for Josie her- 
self told me so; so I can’t see what he’s done to 
go to jail for.” 


228 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

He has counterfeited money/’ said Nan in a 
low voice. 

Gran ’dad has? ” 

So they say, and I believe it may be true. 
Josie has wired her father that she’s got the 
goods on Old Swallowtail and has asked that 
somebody be sent to arrest him. I saw the tele- 
gram and made up my mind I’d get the start of 
the 0 ’Gormans. Dad won’t run away. I’ve 
warned him they are on his trail and he didn’t 
make any reply. But I wouldn’t be surprised if 
he’s gone, this very day, to cover up his traces. 
He’s bright enough to know that if he destroys all 
evidence they can’t prove anything against him.” 

She spoke musingly, more to herself than the 
child beside her, but Ingua drew a deep sigh and 
remarked : 

Then it’s all right. Gran ’dad is slick. 
They’ll hev to get up early in the mornin’ to beat 
him at his own game. But I wonder what he 
does with the counterfeit money, or the real 
money he trades it for.” 

I think I know,” said her mother. He’s 
chucked a fortune into one crazy idea, in which 
his life has been bound up ever since I can 
remember, and I suppose he tried counterfeiting 


INGUA’S MOTHER 


229 


to get more money to chuck away in the same 
foolish manner.” 

What crazy idea is that? ” inquired Ingua. 
Idl tell you, sometime. Just now I see your 
friend Josie coming, and that^s a bit of good 
luck. I’m anxious to meet her, hut if she sees 
me first she won’t come on.” As she spoke she 
rose swiftly and disappeared into the house. 

Stay where you are, Ingua,” she called from 
within in a low voice; I don’t want her to 
escape.” 

Josie was even now making her way across the 
stepping-stones. Presently she ran up the bank, 
smiling, and plumped down beside Ingua. 

Top o’ the morning to you,” said she. How 
did you enjoy your first evening in society? ” 
They were all very good to me,” replied 
Ingua slowly, looking at her friend with troubled 
eyes. ‘ ‘ I had a nice time, hut — ’ ’ 

You were a little shy,” said Josie, but that 
was only natural. When you get better 
acquainted with Mary Louise and the dear old 
Colonel, you’ll — ” 

She stopped abruptly, for looking up she saw 
standing in the doorway Nan Shelley — by which 
name she knew her — who was calmly regarding 


230 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


her. The shock of surprise, for shock it surely 
was, seemed brief, for almost instantly Josie 
completed her broken speech: 

When you know them better youTl feel quite 
at home in their society. Hello, Nan.’^ 

‘‘ Wliat! Josie O’Gorman? You here? ” with 
well-aifected surprise. 

‘‘ You know it. But how came you here. Nan? 
Has Daddy sent you to help me? ” 

‘‘ Help you! In what way? ” 

Help me enjoy country life,” said Josie, 
coloring at her slip. 

WTiy, I’m on a vacation. You don’t seem to 
understand. I’m — Ingua ’s mother. ’ ’ 

Josie ’s self-control wasn’t proof against this 
second shock. Her blue eyes stared amazed. 
With a low exclamation she stood up and faced 
the woman. 

Ingua ’s mother! You, Nan? ” 

Just so,” with a quiet smile. 

Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself,” 
declared Josie with righteous indignation. 

You’re one of the best paid women in the 
Department, and you’ve left your poor child here 
to starve and slave for a wretched old — ’ ’ she 
paused. 


INGUA’S MOTHER 231 

“ Well, what is he? asked Nan with tantaliz- 
ing gentleness. 

“ An old skinflint, at the least. Shame on you. 
Nan! Ingua is a dear little girl, and you — 
you^re an unnatural mother. Why, I never sus- 
pected you were even married.^’ 

‘‘ I’m a widow, Josie.” 

“ And Old Swallowtail is your father? How 
strange. But — why did you come here just 
now? ” with sudden suspicion. 

‘‘ IVe just finished the Hillyard case and they 
gave me a vacation. So I came here to see my 
little girl. I didn’t know she was being 
neglected, Josie. I shall take better care of her 
after this. My visit to Gragg’s Crossing is per- 
fectly natural, for I was bom here. But you? 
What are you up to, Josie? ” 

‘‘I’m visiting Mary Louise Burrows.” 

“ With what object? ” 

A detective must be quick-witted. Josie ’s 
brain was working with lightning-like rapidity. 
In a few brief seconds she comprehended that 
if Nan was Old Swallowtail’s daughter, home on 
a vacation, she must not be allowed to know that 
Josie was conducting a case against her father. 
Otherwise she might interfere and spoil every- 


232 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


thing. She knew Nan of old and respected her 
keen intelligence. Once, when they had been 
pitted against each other, Josie had won; but she 
was not sure she could defeat Nan a second time. 
Therefore it was imperative that old Gragg ^s 
daughter remain in ignorance of the fact that 
Josie was awaiting reinforcements from Wash- 
ington in order to arrest Nan’s father as a 
counterfeiter. Also Josie realized instantly that 
Ingua was likely to tell her mother all she knew 
about Joselyn, including the story she had told 
Josie; so, without hesitation she answered Nan’s 
question with apparent frankness : 

Really, Nan, I came here on a wild-goose 
chase. A man named Ned Joselyn had mysteri- 
ously disappeared and his wife feared he had met 
with foul play. I traced him to this place and as 
Colonel Hathaway and Mary Louise were living 
here — in Mrs. Joselyn ’s own house, by the way 
— I had myself invited as their guest. Well, the 
long and short of it is that Joselyn isn’t mur- 
dered, after all. He simply skipped, and since I 
came here to worry my poor brain over the 
fellow he has been discovered, still in hiding but 
very much alive.” 

You suspected my father of killing him? ” 


INGUA’S MOTHER 


233 


‘ ‘ I did 5 and so did others ; but it seems he 
didn’t. But, even with that precious bubble 
burst, Mary Louise insists on my staying for a 
visit; so here I am, and your little girl has 
become my friend.” 

Ingua knew this story to be quite correct, as 
far as it regarded her grandfather and Ned 
Joselyn. Its straightforward relation renewed 
her confidence in Josie. But Nan knew more 
than Josie thought she did, having intercepted 
the girl ’s telegram to her father ; so she said with 
a slight sneer which she took no pains to conceal : 

‘‘ You’re a clever girl, Josie O’Gorman; a 
mighty clever girl. You’re so clever that I 
wouldn’t be surprised if it tripped you, some 
day, and landed you on your pug nose.” 

Which proved that Nan was not clever, for 
Josie ’s indulgent smile masked the thought: 
‘‘ She knows all and is here to defend her father. 
I must look out for Nan, for she has a notion 
I’m still on the track of Hezekiah Gragg.” 


CHAPTER XXIII 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 

Old Swallowtail came home at about four 
o^clock in the afternoon. The day was hot, yet 
the old man seemed neither heated nor wearied. 
Without a word to his daughter or Ingua he 
drew a chair to the little shady porch and sat 
down in their company. Nan was mending her 
child ^s old frock; Ingua sat thinking. 

For half an hour, perhaps, silence was main- 
tained by all. Then Nan turned and asked: 

‘‘ Have you covered your tracks? 

He turned his glassy, expressionless eyes 
toward her. 

“ My tracks, as you call them,” said he, “ have 
been laid for forty years or more. They are 
now ruts. I cannot obliterate them in a day.” 

The woman studied his face thoughtfully. 

You are not worrying over your probable 
arrest? ” 

No.” 

“ Then it^s all right,” said she, relieved. 

234 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


235 


You’re a foxy old rascal, Dad, and you’ve held 
your own for a good many years. I guess you 
don’t need more than a word of warning.” 

He made no reply, his eyes wandering along 
the path to the bridge. Mary Louise was com- 
ing their way, walking briskly. Her steps slowed 
a bit as she drew nearer, but she said in an 
eager voice: 

Oh, Mrs. Scammel, Josie has told me you 
are here and who you are. Isn’t it queer how 
lives get tangled up? But I remember you with 
gratitude and kindliest thoughts, because you 
were so considerate of my dear Gran ’pa Jim. 
And to think that you are really Ingua’s 
mother! ” 

Nan rose and took the girl’s hands in her own. 

I fear I’ve been a bad mother to my kid,” 
she replied, “ but I thought she was all right 
with her grandfather and happy here. I shall 
look after her better in the future.” 

Mary Louise bowed to Mr. Gragg, who nodded 
his head in acknowledgment. Then she sat down 
beside Ingua. 

‘‘ Are you plannin’ to take me away from here, 
Marm? ” asked the child. 

Wouldn’t you rather be with me than with 


236 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


your grandfather? ’’ returned Nan with a smile. 

I dunno/’ said Ingua seriously. You’re a 
detective, an’ I don’t like detections. You ain’t 
much like a mother to me, neither, ner I don’t 
know much about you. I dunno yet whether I’m 
goin’ to like you or not.” 

A wave of color swept over Nan’s face; Mary 
Louise was shocked; the old man turned his 
inscrutable gaze down the path once more. 

I like it here,” continued the child, musingly. 

Gran ’dad makes me work, but he don’t bother 
me none ’cept when the devils get hold o’ him. 
I ’member that you git the devils, too, once in 
awhile. Harm, an’ they’re about as fierce as 
Gran ’dad’s is. An’ I gets ’em ’cause I’m a Gragg 
like the rest o’ you, an’ devils seem to be in the 
Gragg blood. I’ve a notion it’s easier to stand 
the devils in the country here, than in the city 
where you live.’^ 

Nan didn’t know whether to be amused or 
angry. 

Yet you tried to run away once,” she 
reminded Ingua, ‘‘ and it was Mary Louise who 
stopped you. You told me of this only an hour 
ago.” 

Didn’t I say the devils pick on me some- 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


237 


times? ’’ demanded the girl. An’ Mary Louise 
was right. She fought the devils for me, and I’m 
glad she did, ’cause I’ve had a good time with 
her ever since,” and she pressed Mary Louise’s 
hand gratefully. 

Her child’s frankness was indeed humiliating 
to Nan Scammel, who was by no means a had 
woman at heart and longed to win the love and 
respect of her little girl. Ingua’s frank speech 
had also disturbed Mary Louise, and made her 
sorry for both the child and her mother. Old 
Swallowtail’s eyes lingered a moment on Ingua’s 
ingenuous countenance but he exhibited no emo- 
tion whatever. 

‘‘ You’re a simple little innocent,” remarked 
Nan to Ingua, after a strained pause. ‘‘ You 
know so little of the world that your judgment 
is wholly unformed. I’ve a notion to take you 
to Washington and buy you a nice outfit of 
clothes — like those of Mary Louise, you know — 
and put you into a first-class girls’ boarding- 
school. Then you’ll get civilized, and perhaps 
amount to something.” 

‘‘I’d like that,” said Ingua, with a first dis- 
play of enthusiasm; “ but who’d look after 
Gran ’dad? ” 


238 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Why, we must provide for Dad in some way, 
of course, admitted Nan after another pause. 
‘ ^ I can afford to hire a woman to keep house f or 
him, if I hold my present job. I suppose he has 
a hoard of money hidden somewhere, but that’s 
no reason he wouldn’t neglect himself and starve 
if left alone. And, if he’s really poor, I’m the 
one to help him. How does that arrangement 
strike you, Ingua? ” 

It sounds fine,” replied the girl, but any 
woman that’d come here to work, an’ would stan’ 
Gran ’dad’s devils, wouldn’t amount to much, 
nohow. If we’re goin’ to move to the city,” she 
added with a sigh, let’s take Gran ’dad with 
us.” 

This conversation was becoming too personal 
for Mary Louise to endure longer. They talked 
of Mr. Cragg just as if he were not present, 
ignoring him as he ignored them. With an 
embarrassed air Mary Louise rose. 

I must go now,” said she. “ I just ran over 
to welcome you, Mrs. Scammel, and to ask you 
and Ingua to dine with us to-morrow night. Will 
you come? Josie O’Gorman is with us, you know, 
and I believe you are old friends.” 

Nan hesitated a moment. 


PECULIAE PEOPLE 


239 


“ Thank yon/^ she replied, we’ll be glad to 
come. You’ve been mighty good to my little girl 
and I am grateful. Please give my regards to 
Colonel Hathaway.” 

When Mary Louise had gone the three lapsed 
into silence again. Ingua was considering, in 
her childish but practical way, the proposed 
changes in her life. The mother was trying to 
conquer her annoyance at the child’s lack of 
filial affection, tacitly admitting that the blame 
was not Ingua ’s. The old man stared at the 
path. Whatever his thoughts might be he dis- 
played no hint of their nature. 

Presently there appeared at the head of the 
path, by the bridge, the form of a stranger, a 
little man who came on with nervous, mincing 
steps. He was dressed in dandified fashion, with 
tall silk hat, a gold-headed cane and yellow kid 
gloves. Almost had he reached the porch when 
suddenly he stopped short, looked around in 
surprise and ejaculated: 

“ Bless me — bless me! I — I’ve made a mis- 
take. This is a private path to your house. No 
thoroughfare. Dear me, what an error; an 
unpardonable error. I hope you will excuse me 
— I — I hope so! ” 


240 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘To be sure we replied Nan with a 

laugh, curiously eyeing the dapper little man. 
‘ ‘ The only way out, sir, is back by the bridge. ’ ’ 

“ Thank you. Thank you very much,’’ he said 
earnestly. “I — I am indulging in a stroll and — 
and my mind wandered, as did my feet. I — I 
am an invalid in search of rest. Thank . you. 
Grood afternoon. ’ ’ 

He turned around and with the same mincing, 
regular steps retreated along the path. At the 
bridge he halted as if undecided, but finally con- 
tinued along the country road past the Kenton 
Place. 

Ingua laughed delightedly at the queer man. 
Nan smiled. Old Swallowtail had altered neither 
his position nor his blank expression. 

“He’s a queer fish, ain’t he? ” remarked the 
girl. “ He’s pretty lively for an invalid what’s 
lookin’ for rest. I wonder when he landed, an’ 
where he’s stoppin’.” 

Something in the child’s remark made Nan 
thoughtful. Presently she laid down her work 
and said : 

“ I believe I’ll take a little walk, myself, before 
dark. Want to go along, Ingua? ” 

Ingua was ready. She had on her new dress 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


241 


and hoped they might meet someone whom she 
knew. They wandered toward the town, where 
most of the inhabitants were sitting out of 
doors — a Sunday afternoon custom. Jim Ben- 
nett, in his shirtsleeves, was reading a newspaper 
in front of the postoffice; Sol Jerrems and his 
entire family occupied the platform before the 
store, which was of course locked; Nance Mil- 
liker was playing the organ in the brown house 
around the comer, and in front of the hotel sat 
Mary Ann Hopper in her rocking-chair. 

Nan strolled the length of the street, startling 
those natives who had formerly known her. 
Ingua nodded and smiled at everyone. Mary 
Ann Hopper called, as they passed her : ‘ ‘ Hullo, 
Ingua. Where ’d ye git the new dudsf 

“ Miss Huckins made ’em,’’ answered Ingua 
proudly. 

“ I guess I’ll go and shake hands with Mrs. 
Hopper,” said Nan. Don’t you remember 
me, Mary Ann? I’m Nan Cragg.” 

‘‘ Gee! so y’are,” exclaimed Mary Ann won- 
deringly. ‘‘ We all ’spicioned you was dead, 
long ago.” 

‘‘I’m home for a visit. You folks seem pros- 
perous. How’s business? ” 


242 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


‘‘ Pretty good. We got a new boarder to-day, 
a feller with bum nerves who come from the city. 
Gee! but he’s togged out t’ kill. Got money, too, 
an’ ain’t afraid to spend it. He paid Dad in 
advance. ’ ’ 

That’s nice,” said Nan. What’s his 
name? ” 

It’s a funny name, but I can’t remember it. 
Ye kin see it on the register.” 

Nan went inside, leaving Ingua with Mary 
Ann, and studied the name on the register long 
and closely. 

No,” she finally decided, Lysander isn’t 
calculated to arouse suspicion. He wears a wig, 
I know, but that is doubtless due to vanity and 
not a disguise. I at first imagined it was some- 
one O’Gorman had sent down here to help Josie, 
but none of our boys would undertake such a 
spectacular personation, bound to attract atten- 
tion. This fellow will become the laughing-stock 
of the whole town and every move he makes 
will be observed. I’m quite sure there is nothing 
dangerous in the appearance here of Mr. Lys- 
ander Antonins Sinclair.” 

She chatted a few minutes with Mrs. Hopper, 
whom she found in the kitchen, and then she 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


243 


rejoined Ingua and started homeward. Scarcely 
were mother and child out of sight when Mr. 
Sinclair came mincing along from an opposite 
direction and entered the hotel. He went to 
his room but soon came down and in a querulous 
voice demanded his omelet, thanking the land- 
lady again and again for promising it in ten 
minutes. 

He amused them all very much, stating that 
an omelet for an evening meal was ‘‘ an etfective 
corrective of tired nerves and would enable 
him to sleep soundly all night. 

I sleep a great deal,^’ he announced after 
he had finished his supper and joined Mr. Hopper 
on the porch. When I have smoked a cigar — 
in which luxury I hope you will join me, sir — I 
shall retire to my couch and rest in the arms 
of Morpheus until the brilliant sun of another 
day floods the countryside.’’ 

a p^r^aps it’ll rain,” suggested the landlord. 

Then Nature’s tears will render us sweetly 
sympathetic. ’ ’ 

He offered his cigar case to Mr. Hopper, who 
recognized a high priced cigar and helped 
himself. 

Didn’t see anything to make ye nervous. 


244 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


durin’ yer walk, did yel ’’ lie inquired, lighting 
the weed. 

“ Very little. It seems a nice, quiet place. 
Only once was I annoyed. I stumbled into a 
private path, just before I reached the river, 
and — and had to apologize. 

‘‘Must ’a’ struck OP Swallertail^s place, 
remarked the landlord. 

“ Old Swallowtail? Old Swallowtail? And 
who is he? queried the stranger. 

Hopper was a bom gossip, and if there was 
any one person he loved to talk of and criti- 
cize and “ pick to pieces it was Old Swallow- 
tail. So he rambled on for a half hour, relating 
the Cragg history in all its details, including 
the story of Ingua and Ingua^s mother, Nan 
Cragg, who had married some unknown chap 
named Scammel, who did not long survive the 
ceremony. 

Mr. Sinclair listened quietly, seeming to enjoy 
his cigar more than he did the Cragg gossip. 
He asked no questions, letting the landlord 
ramble on as he would, and finally, when Hopper 
had exhausted his fund of fact and fiction, which 
were about evenly mixed, his guest bade him 
good night and retired to his private room. 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


245 


It ain’t eight o’clock, yet,” said the land- 
lord to his wife, ‘‘ but a feller with nerves is 
best asleep. An’ when he’s asleep he won’t waste 
our kerosene.” 

No, Mr. Sinclair didn’t waste the Hopper 
kerosene. He had a little pocket arrangement 
which supplied him with light when, an hour 
before midnight, he silently rose, dressed him- 
self and prepared to leave the hotel. He was 
not attired in what Mary Ann called his ‘‘ glad 
rags ” now, but in a dark gray suit of home- 
spun that was nearly the color of the night. The 
blond wig was carefully locked in a suit case, 
a small black cap was drawn over his eyes, and 
thus — completely transformed — Mr. Hopper’s 
guest had no difficulty in gaining the street 
without a particle of noise betraying him to the 
family of his host. 

He went to the postoffice, pried open a window, 
unlocked the mail bag that was ready for Jim 
Bennett to carry to the morning train at Char- 
grove and from it abstracted a number of letters 
which he unsealed and read with great care. 
They had all been written and posted by Hezekiah 
Cragg. The man spent a couple of hours here, 
resealing the envelopes neatly and restoring them 


246 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


to the mail bag, after which he attached the 
padlock and replaced the hag in exactly its 
former position. When he had left the little front 
room which was devoted by the Bennetts to the 
mail service, the only evidence of his visit was a 
bruised depression beside the window-sash which 
was quite likely to escape detection. 

After this the stranger crept through the town 
and set off at a brisk pace toward the west, tak- 
ing the road over the bridge and following it 
to the connecting branch and thence to the lane. 
A half hour later he was standing in old Gragg’s 
stone lot and another hour was consumed among 
the huge stones by the hillside — the place where 
Josie had discovered the entrance to the under- 
ground cave. Mr. Sinclair did not discover the 
entrance, however, so finally he returned to town 
and mounted the stairs beside Sol Jerrem’s store 
building to the upper hallway. 

In five minutes he was inside of Gragg’s outer 
office ; in another five minutes he had entered the 
inner office. There he remained until the unmis- 
takable herald of dawn warned him to be going. 
However, when he left the building there was 
no visible evidence of his visit. He was in his 


PECULIAR PEOPLE 


247 


own room and in bed long before Mrs. Hopper 
gave a final snore and wakened to light the 
kitchen fire and prepare for the duties of the 
day. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


FACING DANGER 

Nan’s presence at Gragg’s Crossing rendered 
Josie 0 ’Gorman uneasy. She had the Cragg case 
so weU in hand, now, and the evidence in her 
possession was so positively incriminating, in 
her judgment, that she did not like to be balked 
by a clever female detective from her father’s 
own office. She had little doubt but Nan would 
do all in her power to save old Hezekiah Cragg 
from the penalty of his misdeeds, and her greatest 
fear was that he might utterly disappear before 
O’Gorman sent her assistance. 

With this fear growing in her mind, on Monday 
she determined to send another telegram to her 
father, urging haste, so she obtained permission 
from the Colonel to have Uncle Eben drive her 
and Mary Louise to the city, there being no 
telegraph office at Chargrove Station. But she 
timed the trip when no trains would stop at 
Chargrove during her absence and at the tele- 
graph office she sent an imperative message to 

248 


FACING DANGER 


249 


John O’Gorman at Washington demanding 
instant help. Since all counterfeiting cases 
belonged distinctly to the Secret Service Depart- 
ment she had little doubt her father would 
respond as soon as the affairs at the office would 
permit him to do so. But the delay was exasper- 
ating, nevertheless. Indeed, Josie was so sure 
that the crisis of her case was imminent that 
she determined to watch old Gragg’s house every 
night until his arrest could be made. If he 
attempted to escape she would arrest him her- 
self, with the aid of the little revolver she carried 
in her dress pocket. 

On their return journey they overtook Mr. Sin- 
clair at about a mile from the Crossing. They 
had never seen the man before, but when he 
signaled them Uncle Eben slowed up the machine 
and stopped beside him. 

“ I beg a thousand pardons,” said the dapper 
little stranger, removing his silk hat and bow- 
ing profoundly to the two girls, ‘‘ but would you 
mind taking me to the town? I — I — fear I have 
turned my ankle; not seriously, you know, but 
it is uncomfortable; so if I may sit beside your 
chauffeur the favor will be greatly appreciated. ’ ’ 

‘‘ To be sure,” said Mary Louise with ready 


250 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


sympathy. ^ ‘ Can you get in unaided, or do you 
wish Uncle Eben to assist you! ’’ 

Thank you; thank you a thousand times, 
young lady,’’ said he, climbing into the front 
seat. ‘ ^ I ’m stopping at the hotel, ’ ’ he explained, 
as the car again started, for rest and quiet, 
because of my nervous condition. My doctor said 
I would suffer a nervous breakdown if I did not 
seek rest and quiet in the seclusion of some 
country village. So I came here, and — it’s 
secluded; it really is.” 

I hope your ankle is not seriously injured, 
sir,” said Mary Louise. Take the gentleman 
to the hotel. Uncle Eben.” 

Thank you,” said the little man, and fussily 
removing a card-case from an inner pocket he 
added: My card, please,” and handed it to 

Mary Louise. 

Josie glanced at the card, too. She had been 
regarding the stranger thoughtfully, with the 
same suspicions of him that Nan had formerly 
entertained. The card was not printed; it was 
engraved: one point in the man’s favor. His 
blond hair was a wig; she had a good view of 
the back of it and was not to be deceived. But 
perhaps the moustache, which matched the hair, 


FACING DANGEE 


251 


was genuine. Carefully considering the matter, 
she did not think anyone would come to Cragg^s 
Crossing in disguise unless he were a confederate 
of Hezekiah Cragg, helping to circulate the coun- 
terfeit money. This odd Mr. Sinclair might be 
such a person and working under the direction 
of Ned Joselyn. Joselyn was in hiding, for 
some unexplained reason; Sinclair could appear 
openly. There might be nothing in this suppo- 
sition but Josie determined to keep an eye on the 
nervous stranger. 

He was profuse in his thanks when they let 
him out at Hopper ^s Hotel and Uncle Eben 
chuckled all the way home. 

‘‘ Hat man am shuah some mighty ’stravagant 
punkins, in he’s own mind,” he remarked. “ He 
oughteh git he’s pictur’ took in dat outfit, Ma’y 
Weeze, jes’ to show how ’dic’lous a white man 
can look. He’ll have all de kids in town a-chasin’ 
of him, if he gits loose on de streets. All he 
needs is a brass ban’ to be a circus parade.” 

Nan and Ingua came over to dinner that even- 
ing and Josie was very cordial to Ingua ’s 
mother, who treated her chief’s daughter with 
the utmost friendliness. Both Ingua and Mary 
Louise were surprised by their politeness and 


252 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


comradeship, but neither of the principals was 
deceived by such a display. Each was on her 
guard, but realized it was wise to appear friendly. 

Monday night Josie lurked in the shadows of 
the river bank until daybreak, never relaxing 
her espionage of the Cragg house for a moment. 
All was quiet, however. 

Tuesday passed without event. Tuesday night 
Josie was at her post again, her eyes fixed on the 
dim light that shone from Mr. Gragg’s room. 
Had she been able to see through the walls of 
the cottage she would have found the old man 
seated in his private apartment opposite his 
daughter. Could she have heard their conver- 
sation — the low, continuous hum of Old Swal- 
lowtail’s voice, broken only by an occasional 
question from Nan — she would surely have been 
astonished. Nan was not much astonished, save 
at the fact that her father had at last voluntarily 
confided to her the strange story of his life, a 
life hitherto unknown to her. She was not easily 
surprised, but she was greatly impressed, and 
when he finally rose from his chair and went out 
into the night Nan sat in meditation for some 
time before she followed him. Ingua had long 
been asleep. 


FACING DANGER 


253 


Josie, lurking outside, had not expected Old 
Swallowtail to leave the premises unless he 
planned to run away. His delivery of counter- 
feit money to Ned Joselyn had been of too recent 
a date to render it necessary that he revisit his 
stone-yard for some time to come, she argued; 
yet to-night, at a little after eleven o^clock, she 
saw his shadow pass from the house and take 
the path to the bridge. 

Josie followed. At the bridge Mr. Cragg 
turned westward and at once she surmised he 
was bound for his rocky five acres. The old 
man walked deliberately, never thinking to look 
behind him. He might not have observed any- 
thing suspicious had he turned, but a hundred 
feet behind him came Josie O’Gorman, deftly 
dodging from tree to bush to keep in the dark 
places by the wayside. And behind J osie silently 
moved a little man in gray homespun, whose 
form it would be difficult to distinguish even 
while he stood in the open. Josie, like the prey 
she stalked, was too occupied to look behind. 

Old Swallowtail reached the stone-yard and 
climbed the fence. While he paused there Josie 
crept close and noticed a light which suddenly 
flashed from the hillside. It was a momentary 


254 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


flash and not very brilliant, but she knew it was 
a signal because the old man at once started 
forward. She let him lead on until he disap- 
peared among the rocks and then she boldly fol- 
lowed. She knew now where the secret entrance 
to the cavern was located. 

Threading her way cautiously through the maze 
of rocks the girl finally reached a slanting shelf 
beneath which she crept on hands and knees. 
At its farthest edge was a square door of solid 
oak, rather crudely constructed but thick and 
substantial. This door stood ajar. 

Josie, crouching beside the secret entrance, 
wondered what she ought to do. The regular 
thumping, as of machinery, wliich she had heard 
once before, now began and continued without 
interruption. Here was an opportunity to catch 
the counterfeiters redhanded, but she was one 
small girl as opposed to a gang of desperate 
criminals. 

Oh, dear! ’’ she whispered, half aloud, “ I 
wish father had paid some attention to my tele- 
gram. ’ ’ 

He did,’^ responded a soft voice beside her. 


CHAPTER XXV 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 

The girl would have screamed had not a hand 
been swiftly laid across her lips to stifle the 
sound. She tried to rise, but the shelf of rock 
beneath which she crouched prevented her. How- 
ever, she struggled until an arm was passed 
firmly around her waist and a stern voice said 
warningly : 

‘‘ Josie! Control yourself.^’ 

Instantly her form relaxed and became inert. 
She breathed hard and her heart still raced, 
but she was no longer afraid. 

“ Kiss me. Daddy! she whispered, and the 
man obeyed with a chuckle of delight. 

There was silence for a time, while she col- 
lected herself. Then she asked in a businesslike 
tone: 

“ When did you get here? 

Sunday,’^ said he. 

Good gracious! You must have caught the 
first train after getting my wire.’’ 

255 


256 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


I did. A certain gang of unknown counter- 
feiters Las been puzzling me a good deal lately, 
and I fancied you bad located the rascals. ’ ^ 

‘‘ I bave,’’ said Josie exultantly. 

Where? ’’ be asked. 

Tbe rascals are down below us tbis very 
minute, Daddy. They are at our mercy. 

‘‘ Old Gragg and Jim Bennett? 

‘‘Yes; and perhaps others.” 

“ M-m-m,” mumbled O’Gorman, “ you’ve a 
lot to learn yet, Josie. You’re quick; you’re per- 
severing; you’re courageous. But you lack judg- 
ment.” 

“ Do you mean that you doubt my evidence? ” 
she asked indignantly. 

“I do.” 

“ I’ve tbe counterfeit bill here in my pocket, 
which Gragg tried to pass on the storekeeper,” 
she said. 

“ Let me see it.” 

Josie searched and found the bill. O’Gorman 
flashed a circle of light on it and studied it 
attentively. 

“ Here,” he said, passing it back to her. 
“ Don’t lose it, Josie. It’s worth ten dollars.” 

“Isn’t it counterfeit?” she asked, trying to 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 


257 


swallow a big lump that rose in her throat. 

“ It is one of the recent issues, good as gold. ^ * 

She sat silent, rigid with disappointment. Never 
had she been as miserable as at this moment. She 
felt like crying, and a sob really did become 
audible in spite of her effort to suppress it. 
Again O’Gorman passed his arm affectionately 
around her waist and held her close while she 
tried to think what it all meant. 

Was that bill your only basis of suspicion, 
dear? ” he presently inquired. 

No, indeed. Do you hear that noise? What 
are they doing down there? ” 

‘‘ I imagine they are running a printing press,” 
he replied. 

‘ ‘ Exactly ! ’ ’ she said triumphantly. ‘ ‘ And why 
do these men operate a printing press in a secret 
cavern, unless they are printing counterfeit 
money? ” 

“ Ah, there you have allowed your imagination 
to jump,” returned her father. “ Haven’t I 
w-arned you against the danger of imagination? 
It leads to theory, and theory leads — nine times 
in ten — to failure.” 

“ Circumstantial evidence is often valuable,” 
declared Josie. 


258 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


** It often convicts/’ he admitted, “ but I am 
never sure of its justice. Whenever facts are 
obtainable, I prefer facts.” 

“ Can you explain,” she said somewhat coldly, 
for she felt she was suffering a professional 
rebuke, what those men below us are printing, 
if not counterfeit money? ” 

‘‘ I can,” said he. 

“ And you have been down there, investi- 
gating? ” 

Not yet,” he answered coolly. 

‘‘ Then you must be theorizing. Daddy.” 

‘‘Not at all. If you know you have two mar- 
bles in one pocket and two more in another 
pocket, you may be positive there are four alto- 
gether, whether you bother to count them indi- 
vidually or not.” 

She pondered this, trying to understand what 
he meant. 

“ You don’t know old Cragg as well as I do,” 
she asserted. 

“ Let us argue that point,” he said quickly. 
“ What do you know about him? ” 

“ I know him to be an eccentric old man, edu- 
cated and shrewd, with a cruel and murderous 
temper; I know that he has secluded himself in 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 


259 


this half -forgotten town for many years, engaged 
in some secret occupation which he fears to have 
discovered. I am sure that he is capable of any 
crime and therefore — even if that bill is good — 
I am none the less positive that counterfeiting 
is his business. No other supposition fits the 
facts in the case.” 

‘‘ Is that all you know about old Cragg? ” 
asked O’Gorman. 

Isn’t it enough to warrant his arrest? ” she 
retorted. 

Not quite. You’ve forgotten to mention one 
thing among his characteristics, Josie.” 

‘‘ What is that? ” 

‘‘ Cragg is an Irishman — just as I am.” 

Wliat has that to do with it? ” 

‘‘ Only this: his sympathies have always been 
interested in behalf of his downtrodden country- 
men. I won’t admit that they are downtrodden, 
Josie, even to you; but Cragg thinks they are. 
His father was an emigrant and Hezekiah was 
himself born in Dublin and came to this country 
while an infant. He imagines he is Irish yet. 
Perhaps he is.” 

There was a note of bewilderment in the girl’s 
voice as she asked: 


260 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


What has his sympathy for the Irish to do 
with this case? 

Hezekiah Cragg,’^ explained O’Gorman, 
speaking slowly, is at the head of an organiza- 
tion known as the Champions of Irish Liberty.’ 
For many years this C. I. L. fraternity has been 
growing in numbers and power, fed by money 
largely supplied by Cragg himself. I have proof, 
indeed, that he has devoted his entire fortune 
to this cause, as well as all returns from his 
business enterprises. He lives in comparative 
poverty that the Champions of Irish Liberty 
may finally perfect their plans to free Ireland 
and allow the Irish to establish a self-governing 
republic.” 

But — why all this secrecy, Daddy! ” she 
asked wonderingly. 

‘‘ His work here is a violation of neutrality; 
it is contrary to the treaty between our country 
and England. According to our laws Hezekiah 
Cragg and his followers, in seeking to deprive 
England of her Irish possession, are guilty of 
treason.” 

Could he be prosecuted for sympathizing 
with his own race? ” 

‘‘No; for sending them arms and ammunition 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 


261 


to fight with, yes. And that is what they have 
been doing.’’ 

“ Then you can arrest him for this act! ” 

“ I can,” said O’Gorman, ‘‘ but I’ll be hanged 
if I will, Josie. Cragg is an idealist; the cause 
to which he has devoted his life and fortune 
with a steadfast loyalty that is worthy of respect, 
is doomed to failure. The man’s every thought 
is concentrated on his futile scheme and to oppose 
him at this juncture would drive him mad. He 
isn’t doing any real harm to our country and 
even England won’t suffer much through 
his conspiracy. But, allowing for the folly 
of his attempt to make his people free 
and independent, we must admire his lofty 
philanthropy, his self-sacrifice, his dogged perse- 
verence in promoting the cause so near and 
dear to his heart. Let some other federal officer 
arrest him, if he dares; it’s no work for an 
O’Gorman.” 

Josie had encountered many surprises during 
her brief career as an embryo detective, but this 
revelation was the crowning astonishment of her 
life. All her carefully prepared theories con- 
cerning Hezekiah Cragg had been shattered by 
her father’s terse disclosure and instead of hat- 


262 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


ing Old Swallowtail she suddenly found sympathy 
for his ideals welling in her heart. Josie O’Gor- 
man was Irish, too. 

She pondered deeply the skilled detective’s 
assertions and tried to fit them to her knowledge 
of old Gragg’s character. The story seemed 
to account for much, but not all. After a time 
she said; 

But this mysterious business of his, which 
causes him to write so many letters and to 
receive so many answers to them — what con- 
nection can it have with the Champions of Irish 
Liberty? ” 

‘‘ Very little,” said her father, “ except that 
it enables Gragg to earn more money to feed into 
the ever-hungry maw of the Cause. Gragg ^s 
* business ’ is one of the most unique things of 
the sort that I have ever encountered. And, 
while it is quite legitimate, he is obliged to keep 
it secret so as not to involve his many customers 
in adverse criticism.” 

‘‘ What on earth can it be? ” 

** It pertains to heaven, not earth, my dear,” 
said O’Gorman dryly. “ Gragg was educated for 
the ministry or the priesthood — I can’t discover 
whether he was Catholic or Protestant — but it 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 


263 


seems he wasn^t fitted for the church. Perhaps 
he already had in mind the idea of devoting his 
life to the land that gave him birth. Ajiyhow, 
he was a well versed theologian, and exceptionally 
brilliant in theses, so when his money gave out he 
began writing sermons for others to preach, 
doing a mail-order business and selling his prod- 
ucts to those preachers who are too busy or 
too lazy to write their own sermons. He has a 
sort of syndicate established and his books, 
which I have examined with admiration and 
wonder, prove he supplies sermons to preachers 
of all denominations throughout the United 
States. This involves a lot of correspondence. 
Every week he writes a new sermon, prints a 
large number of copies and sends one to each of 
his clients. Of course he furnishes but one man 
in a town or city with his products, but there 
are a good many towns and cities to supply. 

‘‘Is he printing sermons now? asked Josie. 

‘ ‘ Perhaps so ; or it may be he is printing some 
circular to be distributed to the members of the 
C. I. L. Jim Bennett, the husband of the post- 
mistress here, was once a practical printer, and 
he is a staunch member of the Irish fraternity. 
Gragg has known of this underground cavern 


264 MAEY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


for years, and at one time it was a regular 
meeting-place for his order of Champions. So 
he bought a printing press and, to avoid the pry- 
ing eyes of his neighbors, established it here. 
That is the whole story of Cragg^s ‘ crime,’ Josie, 
and it is very simple when once fully explained. ’ ’ 

“ Do you mean to say you’ve discovered all 
this in the two days since you’ve been here? ” 
asked the girl, in amazement. . 

Every bit of it. I came prepared to arrest 
a gang of counterfeiters, and stumbled on this 
very interesting but quite harmless plot.” 

“ Where have you been hiding since Sunday? ” 
she inquired. 

‘^Why, I didn’t hide at all,” he asserted. 
“ Don’t you remember giving me a ride yester- 
day in the Hathaway automobile? ” 

Josie sat silent. She was glad it was so dark 
under that shelf of rock, for she would rather 
her father did not read her humiliation and self- 
reproach. 

‘‘ Daddy,” she said, with a despairing accent, 
‘‘I’m going to study to be a cook or a stenog- 
rapher. I’ll never make a decent detective — like 
Nan, for instance.” 

O’Gorman laughed. 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER 265 

Poor Nan! ’’ lie exclaimed. She’s been 
more befuddled than yon over this mysterious 
case. And Cragg is her own father, too. Come, 
Josie, it’s getting late; let’s go home.” 


CHAPTER XXVI 


THE PLOT 

When they were over the stones and in the lane 
again, walking arm in arm toward the village, 
Josie’s logical mind turned from her own failure 
to a consideration of the story her father had 
just told her. 

I can’t understand,” she remarked, how 
Joselyn came into this affair, what happened to 
him, or why he is once more the secret associate 
of old Gragg.” 

Joselyn,” said the old detective, ‘‘ is a clever 
grafter — in other words, an unmitigated scoun- 
drel. Now do you understand? ” 

“ Not quite,” confessed Josie. 

‘‘ He’s Irish.” 

“ Isn’t his name Scotch? ” 

‘‘Yes, but Joselyn isn’t his name. If you’re 
inclined to pick up his record and follow it 
through, you’ll probably find him pursuing his 
various adventures under many aliases. He 
doesn’t belong in this country, you know, has 
266 


THE PLOT 


267 


only been here a few years, so his adventures 
would probably cover two continents. The fel- 
low always manages to keep just within our laws, 
although sometimes he gets dangerously near 
the edge. The world is full of men like Joselyn. 
They don’t interest me.” 

Then he belongs to the band of Champions? ” 
asked Josie. 

Yes. In going over Gragg’s books and papers 
in his private office the other night, I found suffi- 
cient references to Ned Joselyn to figure out his 
story with a fair degree of accuracy,’^ said 
O’Gorman. ‘‘ He was born in Ireland, got into 
trouble over there with the authorities, and fled 
to America, where he met Annabel Kenton and 
married her. Getting in touch with Old Swal- 
lowtail, he joined the Champions and attended to 
the outside business for Mr. Cragg, purchasing 
supplies and forwarding them, with money, to 
the patriots in Ireland. I suppose he made a fair 
rake-off in all these dealings, but that did not 
satisfy him. He induced Cragg to invest in some 
wild-cat schemes, promising him tremendous 
earnings which could be applied to the Cause. 
Whether he really invested the money turned 
over to him, or kept it for himself, is a subject 


268 MAET LOUISE IN THE COUNTBY 


for doubt, but it seems that tbe old man soon 
suspected him of double-dealing and they had 
so many quarrels that Cragg finally threatened 
to turn him over to the authorities for extradi- 
tion. That was when our precious Ned thought 
it wise to disappear, but afterward another peace 
was patched up, owing largely to the fact that 
Joselyn knew so much of the workings of the 
secret order that it was safer to have him for a 
friend than an enemy. 

I^m thinking of his poor wife,” said Josie. 

Does she know now where her husband is? ” 

I think not. At first, in order to win the 
confidence of old Cragg, Ned applied consider- 
able of his wife^s money to the Cause, and while 
she would probably forgive his defalcations he 
thinks it wiser to keep aloof from her. She 
foolishly trusted him to ‘ settle ^ her mother ^s 
estate, and I^m sure he managed to settle most 
of it on himself. His value to Cragg lay in his 
ability to visit the different branches of the 
Champions, which are pretty well scattered 
throughout the United States, and keep them in 
touch one with the other. Also he purchased 
arms and ammunition to be forwarded secretly 
to Ireland. So you see it was quite impossible 


THE PLOT 


269 


for the old man to break with him wholly, rascal 
though he knows him to be.’^ 

“ I see/’ said Josie. “ Joselyn has him in his 
power.” 

‘ ‘ Entirely so. A hint from him to the author- 
ities would result in an embargo on any further 
shipments to the rebels in Ireland and so com- 
pletely ruin the usefulness of the order of Cham- 
pions. The fellow seems to be a thorn deeply 
embedded in the side of Old Swallowtail, who 
will suffer anything to promote the cause of 
Irish liberty. ’ ’ 

Ingua thinks her grandfather tried to kill 
Ned, at one time,” remarked the girl. 

It’s a wonder, with his rabid temper, that 
he didn’t do so,” said O’Gorman. But perhaps 
he realized that if he was hanged for Joselyn ’s 
murder his beloved Order would be without a 
head and in sorry straits. Thousands of Irish- 
men are feeding the funds of the Champions, 
aside from what Cragg himself dumps into the 
pot. So the old fellow is in a responsible position 
and mustn’t commit murder, however much he 
may long to, because it would jeopardize the for- 
tunes of his associates. However, the end is not 
yet, and unless Joselyn acts square in his future 


270 IVIARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


dealings lie may yet meet with a tragic fate.’’ 

I wonder what was in that package he took 
away with him the other night! ” mused Josie. 
“ I was sure, at the time, it was counterfeit 
money.” 

It probably contained the monthly printed 
circular to the various branches of the order. 
Jim Bennett prints them in that underground 
cavern and Ned Joselyn sees they are distrib- 
uted.” 

“ Well,” said Josie with a sigh, ‘‘ you’ve 
pricked my bubble. Daddy, and made me ashamed. 
With all my professed scorn of theories, and my 
endeavors to avoid them, I walked straight into 
the theoretic mire and stuck there.” 

O’Gorman pressed her arm affectionately. 

Never you mind, my dear,” in a consoling 
tone; you have learned a lesson that will be 
of great value to you in your future work. I 
dare not blame you, indeed, for I myself, on the 
evidence you sent me, came rushing here on a 
wild-goose chase. One never knows what is on 
the other side of a page till he turns it, and if 
we detectives didn’t have to turn so many pages, 
only to find them blank, we’d soon rid the country 
of its malefactors. But here we are at the Kenton 


THE PLOT 


271 


gateway. Go to bed, Josie dear, and pleasant 
dreams to you.’^ 

‘‘ Will I see you again? sbe asked. 

“ No; off by the early train. But you 
must stay here and have your visit out with 
Mary Louise. It won’t hurt you to have a free 
mind for awhile.” 

He kissed her tenderly and she went in. 







CHAPTER XXVII 


NAN TRIUMPH 

The night’s events were not yet ended. An 
automobile left the edge of the stone-yard, fol- 
lowed a lane and turned into the main highway, 
where it encountered a woman standing in the 
middle of the road and waving her arms. She 
was distinctly visible in the moonlight. 

The man with the monocle slowed the car and 
came to a sudden stop, rather than run her 
down. 

What’s the matter? ” he demanded impa- 
tiently. 

“ Wait a minute; I want to talk to you.” 

“ Can’t stop,” he replied in a querulous tone. 
<< IVe got fifty miles to make before daylight. 
Out of my way, woman. ’ ’ 

With a dexterous motion she opened the door 
and sprang into the seat beside him. 

“ Here! Get out of this,” he cried. 

Drive on,” she said calmly. It’ll save 
time, since you’re in a hurry.” 

272 


NAN^S TRIUMPH 


273 


‘‘ Get ont! 

‘‘I’m going to ride with you. Why bother to 
argue? ” 

He turned nervously in his seat to get a look 
at her, then shifted the clutch and slowly started 
the car. The woman sat quiet. While bumping 
over the uneven road at a reckless speed the 
driver turned at times to cast stealthy glances 
at the person beside him. Finally he asked in 
exasperation : 

“ Do you know where I’m going? ” 

“You haven’t told me.” 

“ Do you know who I am? ” 

“ How should II ” 

“ Oh, very well,” with a sigh of relief. “ But 
isn’t this rather — er — irregular?” 

“ Very.” 

Again he drove for a time in silence. In the 
direction they were following they whirled by 
a village every three or four miles, but the 
country roads were deserted and the nearest city 
of any size lay a good fifty miles on. 

“ I don’t know who you are,” observed the 
woman presently, “ but I can hazard a guess. 
You call yourself Joselyn — Ned Joselyn — but 
that isn’t your name. It’s the name you married 


274 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Annabel Kenton under, but it doesn’t belong to 
you.” 

He gave a roar of anger and started to slow 
down the car. 

Go ahead! ” she said imperatively. 

‘‘ I won’t. You’re going to get out of here, 
and lively, too, or I’ll throw you out.” 

Do you feel anything against your side? ” 
she asked coolly. 

‘‘ Yes,” with a sudden start. 

‘‘It’s the muzzle of a revolver. I think it’s 
about opposite your heart and my finger is on 
the trigger. Go ahead! ” 

He turned the throttle and the car resumed its 
former speed. 

‘ ‘ Who the deuce are you ! ” he demanded, in a 
voice that trembled slightly. 

“ Like yourself, I have many names,” she said. 
“ In Washington they call me Nan Shelley; at 
Gragg’s Crossing I’m Mrs. Scammel, formerly 
Nan Gragg.” 

“ Oh — ho! ” with a low whistle of astonish- 
ment. “ Nan Gragg, eh? So you’ve returned 
from your wanderings, have you? ” with a 
derisive sneer. 

“ For a time. But in wandering around I’ve 


NAN’S TRIUMPH 


275 


found my place in the world and I’m now a 
lady detective, not an especially high-class occu- 
pation but satisfactory as a bread-winner. I find 
I’m quite talented; I’m said to be a pretty fair 
detective. ’ ’ 

She could feel him tremble beside her. He 
moved away from her as far as he could but the 
pressure against his side followed his movements. 
After a time he asked defiantly: 

‘‘ Well, being a detective, what’s your business 
with me? I hope you’re not fool enough to think 
I’m a criminal.” 

‘‘ I don’t think it; I know it. You’re an unusual 
sort of a criminal, too,” she replied. You’re 
mixed up in a somewhat lawless international 
plot, but it isn’t my present business to bring you 
to book for that.” 

What is your present business? ” 

To discover what you’ve done with my 
father’s money. 

He laughed, as if relieved. 

Spent it for the cause of Ireland.” 

‘‘ Part of it, perhaps. But the bulk of the 
money you’ve taken from the Champions of Irish 
Liberty, most of which came out of my father’s 
own pocket, and practically all the money he gave 


276 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


you to invest for him, you have withheld for your 
own use.” 

You’re crazy! ” 

‘‘ I know the bank it’s deposited in.” 

Again he growled, like a beast at bay. 

“ Whatever I have on deposit is to be applied 
to the Cause,” said he. It’s reserved for future 
promotion.” 

‘‘ Have you seen to-day’s papers? ” she 
inquired. 

No.” 

‘ ‘ The revolution in Ireland has already broken 
out.” 

Great Scott! ” There was sincere anxiety 
in his voice now. 

“ It is premature, and will result in the 
annihilation of all your plans.” 

Perhaps not.” 

“You know better,” said she. “ Anyhow, 
your actions are now blocked until we see how 
the rebellion fares. The Irish will have 
no further use for American money, I’m positive, 
so I insist that my father receive back the funds 
he has advanced you, and especially his own 
money which he gave you to invest and you 
never invested.” 


NAN^S TRIUMPH 


277 


Bah! If I offered him the money he 
wouldn’t take it. 

‘‘ Then I’ll take it for him,” she asserted. 
‘‘ Yen’ll give up that money becanse you know 
I can have you arrested for — well, let us say a 
breach of American neutrality. You are not a 
citizen of the United States. You were bom in 
Ireland and have never been naturalized here.” 

‘‘ You seem well posted,” he sneered. 

I belong to the Government Secret Service, 
and the Bureau knows considerable,” she replied 
dryly. 

He remained silent for a time, his eyes fixed 
upon the road ahead. Then he said: 

The Government didn’t send you to get 
Gragg’s money away from me. Nor did Gragg 
send you.” 

‘‘ No, my father is afraid of you. He has been 
forced to trust you even when he knew you were 
a treacherous defaulter, because of your threats 
to betray the Gause. But you’ve been playing a 
dangerous game and I believe my father would 
have killed you, long ago, if — ” 

‘‘ WeU, if what? ” 

If you hadn’t been his own nephew.” 

He turned upon her with sudden fierceness. 


278 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 

Look out! ’’ she called. Vve not the same 
objection to killing my cousin.” 

‘‘ Your cousin! ” 

“ To be sure. You are the son of Peter Cragg, 
my father’s brother, who returned to Ireland 
many years ago, when he was a young man. 
Ned Joselyn is an assumed name; you are Ned 
Cragg, condemned by the British government 
for high treason. You are known to be in 
America, but only I knew where to find you. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Oh, you knew, did you? ” 

‘‘Yes; all your various hiding-places are well 
known to me.” 

“ Confound you! ” 

“ Exactly. You’d like to murder me. Cousin 
Ned, to stop my mouth, but I’ll not give you the 
chance. And, really, we ought not to kill one 
another, for the Cragg motto is ‘ a Cragg for a 
Cragg.’ That has probably influenced my poor 
father more than anything else in his dealings 
with you. He knew you are a Cragg. ’ ’ 

“ Well, if I’m a Cragg, and you’re a Cragg, 
why don’t you let me alone? ” 

“ Because the family motto was first ignored 
by yourself.” 

For a long time he drove on without another 


NAN^S TRIUMPH 


279 


word. Evidently he was in deep thought and the 
constant pressure of the revolver against his 
side gave him ample food for reflection. Nan 
was thinking, too, quietly exulting, the while. As 
a matter of fact she had hazarded guess after 
guess, during the interview, only to find she had 
hit the mark. She knew that Ned Cragg had 
been condemned by the British government and 
was supposed to have escaped to America, but 
not until now was she sure of his identity with 
Ned Joselyn. Her father had told her much, but 
not this. Her native shrewdness was alone 
responsible for the discovery. 

<< We’re almost there, aren’t we? ” asked Nan 
at last. 

“ yVherel ” 

‘‘ At the house where you’re at present hiding. 
We’ve entered the city, I see, and it’s almost 
daybreak.” 

Well? ” 

I know the Chief of Police here. Am I to 
have that money. Cousin Ned, or — ” 

Of course,” he said hastily. 


CHAPTER XXVni 


PUINNING THE FUTUBE 

It was nearly a month later when Mary Louise, 
walking down to the river on an afternoon, dis- 
covered Ingua sitting on the opposite bank and 
listlessly throwing pebbles into the stream. She 
ran across the stepping-stones and joined her 
little friend. 

** How is your grandfather this morning? 
she asked. 

** I guess he^s better, said Ingua. He don’t 
mumble so much about the Lost Cause or the poor 
men who died for it in Ireland, but Ma says his 
broken heart will never mend. He’s awful 
changed, Mary Louise. To-day, when I set 
beside him, he put out his hand an’ stroked my 
hair an’ said: ‘ Poor child — poor child, you’ve 
been neglected. After all,’ says he, ‘ one’s duties 
begin at home.’ He hasn’t had any fits of the 
devils lately, either. Seems like he’s all broke 
up, you know.” 


280 


PLANNING THE FUTURE 281 

‘‘ Can lie walk yet? inquired Mary Louise. 

“ Yes, he’s gett’n’ stronger ev’ry day. This 
mornin’ he walked to the bridge an’ back, but 
he was ruther wobbly on his legs. Ma said she 
wouldn’t have left him, just now, if she wasn’t 
sure he’d pick up.” 

Oh. Has your mother gone away, then? ” 

“ Left last night,” said Ingua, ‘‘ for Wash- 
ington.” 

“ Is her vacation over? ” 

It isn’t that,” replied the child. ‘‘ Ma isn’t 
going to work any more, just now. Says she’s 
goin’ to take care o’ Gran ’dad. She went to 
Washington because she got a telegram saying 
that Senator Ingua is dead.” 

‘‘ Senator Ingua! ” 

Yes; he was my godfather, you see. I didn’t 
know it myself till Ma told me last night. He 
was an uncle of Will Scammel, my father that 
died, but he wasn’t very friendly to him an’ 
didn’t give him any money while he lived. Ma 
named me after the Senator, though, ’cause she 
knew which side her bread was buttered on, an’ 
now he’s left me ten thousand dollars in his 
will.” 


282 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


Ten thousand! exclaimed Mary Louise, 
delightedly, why, you Craggs are going to be 
rich, Ingua. What with all the money your 
mother got back from Ned Joselyn and this leg- 
acy, you will never suffer poverty again.’’ 

That’s what Ma says,” returned the child, 
simply. But I dunno whether I’ll like all the 
changes Ma’s planned, or not. WTien she gets 
back from Washington she’s goin’ to take me an’ 
Gran ’dad away somewheres for the winter, an’ 
I’m to go to a girls’ school.” 

Oh, that will be nice.” 

“ Will it, Mary Louise*? I ain’t sure. And 
while we’re gone they’re goin’ to tear down the 
old shack an’ build a fine new house in its place, 
an’ fix up the grounds so’s they’re just as good 
as the Kenton Place.” 

‘‘ Then your mother intends to live here 
always? ” 

“ Yes. She says a Gragg’s place is at Gragg’s 
Grossing, and the fambly’s goin’ to hold up its 
head ag’in, an’ we’re to be some punkins around 
here. But — I sorter hate to see the old place 
go, Mary Louise,” turning a regretful glance 
at the ancient cottage from over her shoulder. 


PLANNING THE FUTURE 


283 


‘‘ I can understand that, dear,^^ said the other 
girl, thoughtfully; ‘‘ but I am sure the change 
will be for the best. Do you know what has 
become of Ned Joselyn? ” 

‘^Yes; he an’ Annabel Kenton — that’s his 
wife — have gone away somewheres together; 
somewheres out West, Ma says. He didn’t 
squander Ann’s money, it seems; not all of it, 
anyhow; didn’t hev time, I s’pose, he was so busy 
robbin’ Gran ’dad. Ned run away from Ann, 
that time he disappeared, ’cause English spies 
was on his tracks an’ he didn’t want to be took 
pris’ner. That was why he kep’ in hidin’ an’ 
didn’t let Ann know where he was. He was 
afraid she’d git rattled an’ blab.” 

Oh; I think I understand. But he will have 
to keep in hiding always, won’t he? ” 

I s’pose so. Ma says that’ll suit her, all 
right. Am I talkin’ more decent than I used to, 
Mary Louise? ” 

You’re improving every day, Ingua.” 

‘‘I’m tryin’ to be like you, you know. Ma says 
I’ve been a little Arab, but she means to make 
a lady of me. I hope she will. And then — ” 
“ Well, Ingua? ” 


284 MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY 


** YouTl come to visit me, some time, in our 
new house; won^t you? 

I surely will, dear,” promised Mary Louise. 






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